TV detector vans, do they exist?

[rob4001]

I friend of mine was told by the TV licence people they do indeed have detector vans when he phoned to say he doesn't have a TV. I personally believe this is a load of BS and they work off a database if you have no licence registered at the address. So do they really exist? I've never seen one.

[peterb]

I think they do. The offence is installing and using a TV without a licence - it is not an offence to inform them that ypou don't have a TV.

I(f you don't tell them, they may come knocking at your door, but AFIK) unless they have a warrant they have no right of entry, and to get a warrant, they need evidence that you are using a TV. And for that they use the detector vans. I don't know how effective they are - they used to pick up the local oscillator radiation from the set, but modern designs may suppress that. Given the cost of the licence, and the cost of the fine, I don't think I'll be doing any experiments to find out!

[Jonatron]

I don't know how effective they are

Doesn't seem that they are very effective:
BBC Confirm Detector Vans Never Used in Court
http://tv-licensing.blogspot.com/201...r-used-in.html

[IronWarrior]

I brought this question up at the overclockers forum, the answers was that, there has been no court cases where anyone has been found guility where a detector van was used.

The technology is real through.

It's all bullcrap through, they just trying to scare you.

[peterb]

Doesn't seem that they are very effective:
BBC Confirm Detector Vans Never Used in Court
http://tv-licensing.blogspot.com/201...r-used-in.html

As I thought, the van evidence is used to gain the search warrant.

[g8ina]

Ive actually sat in one working in the late 70s. Quite scarily accurate. Then. Not sure about now.

[AD-15]

The offence is installing and using a TV without a licence

Actually, I think the offence is using the TV and receiving a signal into the property for it, without a licence. At least, that's what they told me the last time I called to renew.

I don't see any legal issues with using a TV purely for use with some entertainment device like a blu-ray player or games console, and not getting a licence.

[Flibb]

Actually, I think the offence is using the TV and receiving a signal into the property for it, without a licence. At least, that's what they told me the last time I called to renew.

I don't see any legal issues with using a TV purely for use with some entertainment device like a blu-ray player or games console, and not getting a licence.

The license is for receiving broadcasts, if you are unable to receive them you don't need a license. You can use a BR player, DVD etc, or plug your PC into it to watch time shifted iplayer content.


http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check/v...&WT.mc_id=r001

The law states that you need to be covered by a TV Licence if you watch or record television programmes, on any device, as they're being shown on TV. This includes TVs, computers, mobile phones, games consoles, digital boxes and Blu-ray/DVD/VHS recorders.

You don't need a licence if you don't use any of these devices to watch or record television programmes as they're being shown on TV - for example, if you use your TV only to watch DVDs or play video games, or you only watch ‘catch up’ services like BBC iPlayer or 4oD.

[peterb]

Actually, I think the offence is using the TV and receiving a signal into the property for it, without a licence. At least, that's what they told me the last time I called to renew.

I don't see any legal issues with using a TV purely for use with some entertainment device like a blu-ray player or games console, and not getting a licence.

A TV is a television receiver, which implies receiving a television signal, but you are right in that using a TV receiver without an aerial, (or being tuned in to a receivable signal) so that is ust a display device would not be illegal.

[0iD]

I saw one recently, till then I thought they were myth. It was cruising round Jaywick in Essex, big business there I bet.

[Funkstar]

I had assumed they were no longer in use. I remember seeing them as a kid, but haven't seen any in a lot of years.

[Agent]

A TV is a television receiver, which implies receiving a television signal, but you are right in that using a TV receiver without an aerial, (or being tuned in to a receivable signal) so that is ust a display device would not be illegal.

Still don't stop them hounding you though

We have 2 TVs at our place, neither of them tuned in or with an antenna. I filled in the form on their website explaining that I have a TV, that they are not tuned and are solely used for games and DVDs out of courtesy (no legal requirement to do this).

They still come around and ask often, which usually involves them getting arsey when I ask if they have a warrant before asking them to leave. Never had one that hasn't come across as rude yet.

[jim]

They still come around and ask often, which usually involves them getting arsey when I ask if they have a warrant before asking them to leave. Never had one that hasn't come across as rude yet.

I've heard, not sure if it's true, that there is something known as presumed right of way. For postmen and so on, it is presumed that you give them permission to use your driveway or footpath to reach your front door, despite the fact that they are walking on your land.

Supposedly, you can withdraw this presumed right of way to certain people or individuals, meaning that coming to your front door would involve trespassing. Obviously if you do this to the TV Licensing organisation, they can no longer knock on your door and harass you.

Whether it's true or not, I'm not sure, because I've only seen it mentioned on TV Licensing (for want of a better term) evasion forums and people do have a habit of quoting non-existent laws when they're beneficial. But, if it is true, it would probably prevent them from wasting your time. On the flipside, they might think you've got something to hide and get more aggressive, but it's hard to see what they can do if you're not breaking the law in any way.

[petercook7]

Still don't stop them hounding you though

We have 2 TVs at our place, neither of them tuned in or with an antenna. I filled in the form on their website explaining that I have a TV, that they are not tuned and are solely used for games and DVDs out of courtesy (no legal requirement to do this).

They still come around and ask often, which usually involves them getting arsey when I ask if they have a warrant before asking them to leave. Never had one that hasn't come across as rude yet.

because you told them you have a TV but you do not watch live tv, they'll hound you now. People get caught because they sign the document thinking they have too when you don't have too. If they come round and even see the TV they'll try there hardest to get you to sign, you must refuse that.
I haven't purchased a TV licence ever and will not even think about getting one.

[Agent]

I've heard, not sure if it's true, that there is something known as presumed right of way. For postmen and so on, it is presumed that you give them permission to use your driveway or footpath to reach your front door, despite the fact that they are walking on your land.

Supposedly, you can withdraw this presumed right of way to certain people or individuals, meaning that coming to your front door would involve trespassing. Obviously if you do this to the TV Licensing organisation, they can no longer knock on your door and harass you.

Whether it's true or not, I'm not sure, because I've only seen it mentioned on TV Licensing (for want of a better term) evasion forums and people do have a habit of quoting non-existent laws when they're beneficial. But, if it is true, it would probably prevent them from wasting your time. On the flipside, they might think you've got something to hide and get more aggressive, but it's hard to see what they can do if you're not breaking the law in any way.

They don't bother trying to quote laws because as soon as they say who they are, I ask them to wait a second, start my phone recording, point it at them and ask them to continue.

Most of the time they get very angry and leave instantly, although one did try and tell me I have no right to record him on my property

I don't worry about it in all honesty as I'm doing nothing wrong.

because you told them you have a TV but you do not watch live tv, they'll hound you now. People get caught because they sign the a document thinking they have too when you don't have too. If they come round and even see the TV they'll try there hardest to get you to sign, you must refuse that.
I haven't purchased a TV lenience ever and will not even think about getting one.

Indeed, tried to get me to sign something before, one even telling me it "was the law", to which I told him to take me to court then.

The only reason I don't own a licence is because I don't *need* one. The day I start watching TV (if that ever happens), I'll buy one. I just wish they'd accept this given I have it in writing from them.

[Behemoth]

I always thought they were a Ford Transit van with an aerial on the roof which was being turned organ grinders monkey style with a bloke sat in the back on a stool winding a handle. It appears I have been proven wrong !