Television audiences are expected to rise during the World Cup – providing the perfect opportunity for TV licence detection teams to catch those watching illegally.

Key sporting events such as the forthcoming football extravaganza help in the crackdown on offenders, with officers visiting unlicensed addresses during top football, cricket and rugby matches. During the last World Cup in 2006, more than 400 people were caught across the Bradford district.

“A greater number of people than usual will be watching TV during the games, not only in domestic properties, but businesses too, which will be showing the games and also need a licence,” says Phil Reed, spokesman for TV Licensing in the North.

Most people associate TV licence detection with highly-visible vans, complete with satellite-style dishes and long aerials.

But, while vans still play a vital role in the operation, they are not the prime method of discovering whether people are watching their favourite shows illegally.

“The key to detection is our database,” says Phil. “We have more than 30 million addresses that we can match up with those who have and do not have a licence.”

Last year, thousands of people across the Bradford district were caught watching television without a licence. In Bradford, 3,163 people were caught, with 380 in Keighley and 180 in Shipley.

The district was the fourth-worst area in Yorkshire for licence evasion, behind Sheffield, Hull and the top city for offending, Leeds.

The database is rarely wrong. “In a small minority of cases there will be a valid licence, but in most cases a licence is needed,” adds Phil.

Nationally, around five per cent of people own and watch television without a licence. “Some people will be deliberately evading paying for a licence, but others may have genuine reason for not having one,” says Phil. “They may have language difficulties and not understand – we can help in those cases.”

Around two per cent of the population do not have a television. “We keep a record of their details, and if we can establish that they definitely don’t have one, we will not bother them other than to check every few years as to whether the situation has changed.”

Crucially, explains Phil: “It is not about whether you have a television, it is whether you are watching it as programmes are being broadcast.”

Many people do not realise that the same rule applies to laptops, computers and mobiles.

“People are now watching TV in very different ways to the traditional way of watching with the family in the living room. People watch on laptops, mobile phones and games consoles, and it is up to the Government to decide what is covered by the licence and our job to make sure people abide by the rules.

“Our role is not just about detection and catching people, it is about education. Part of our responsibility is to explain the rules as to when and why a licence is needed.

“As people, particularly younger people, are increasingly using new technology to watch TV, one of the key areas is the need for them to understand how that fits in with the need for a TV licence.”

Monitoring such usage will not be easy. “Clearly, as technology changes, the demands on us change”, says Phil. “We have to keep pace with it.”

The fleet of detection vans supports the inquiry officers checking the database. Some vehicles are branded, and some are not. “People think they have dishes on top, but they don’t anymore,” says Phil.

Those who are caught are at first sent a letter, followed by reminders. If they still do not respond, they are visited by an official. Prosecution is a last resort, necessitating a court appearance and fine of up to £1,000. “And you still have to buy a licence,” adds Phil.

Those caught come up with many excuses, such as they only watch ITV or the TV is broken. “One man claimed his 11-year-old son had bought the set without him knowing,” says Phil.

Business premises, schools, hotels, pubs and other public buildings – many which will be airing matches during the World Cup – also need a licence.

For general enquiries about TV licensing, ring 0300 7906071 or visit tvlicensing.co.uk. Officers from TV Licensing speak to community groups such as housing associations, ethnic minorities and students. For more information, ring (0113) 2200700.