5800 dodge TV licence fee

LICENSING bosses have revealed that more than 5800 people were caught without a TV licence in the Capital last year.

By The Newsroom

Published 25th Jan 2011, 10:17 BST

Updated 26th Jan 2011, 10:03 BST

The figure compares with 15,400 in Glasgow, more than 2500 in Aberdeen and more than 2000 in Dundee.

According to the latest figures there were more than 71,200 people caught watching TV illegally across Scotland.

Fergus Reid, a TV Licensing spokesperson, said: "It's not fair on the vast majority of people in Edinburgh who pay their licence fee for some people to watch TV without paying. We try to give people every chance to get on the right side of the law, but if they fail to pay, we will take action.

"People watching TV without a licence can face a prosecution and a fine of up to 1000."

The fee can be paid in one go or by monthly Direct Debit.