TV licensing (Capita) impersonating police officers?

[jondude]

I have just received a perplexing letter from TV Licensing.

It says how upset they are that I have not responded to their more and more aggressive threats but then also:

'Our officers may interview you under caution of national criminal law, which could lead to prosecution'.


I am more than happy to answer the door and say I will report the Capita salesman for impersonating a police officer......but maybe they actually can do this???

Anyone know? Do they really have the powers to caution and tell me if I'm silent it might still go against me etc etc

[creampuff]

Tenants moved out of my rental flat notvthat long ago. Went there yesterday and there were four letters from TVL already. fk those stupid fks and fk that stupid fking crap on the BBC.

[BobSaunders]

"You need a TV Licence to watch or record programmes on a TV, computer or other device as they're broadcast, and to watch on-demand BBC programmes on iPlayer. "

If you do not do anything of the above then what are you worried about?

[jondude]

I do not and have no concerns about them visiting - just wanting to know if they are spinning things or if they do now have the same powers as the police/customs officers.

[paintman]

Interviewing under caution is not the sole territory of the Police.

There are many organisations that do so. This includes council workers/local authority investigating fraud such as false benefit & housing claims, Trading Standards officers, Customs & Excise, the HSE etc.

So your 'impersonating a police officer' claim purely on those grounds is without foundation.

ETA Enter 'interview under caution' into Google & you'll find any number of examples.

Edited by paintman on Sunday 28th January 13:30

[creampuff]

Of course if they do want to interview under caution, you could say, "no thanks", "no comment", or "fk you".

[Riley Blue]

The word 'officer' doesn't have to mean 'police officer'.

Another example of non-police officer enforcement is on-street parking where responsibility has passed to local councils who in turn often employ contractors to issue fines.

[CoolHands]

Just ignore all communication; I don’t even read it.

[anonymous-user]

CoolHands said:

Just ignore all communication; I don’t even read it.

That's not what he is asking. He's asking whether they are guilty of impersonating a police office and what powers they actually have.
Does no-one actually read the OP before they post anything...

[Red Devil]

The BBC (and that's who we're really talking about here: TVL is merely a trade mark and revenue collection is outsourced to C*apita) are the only organisation I know of which sends a barrage of letters implying you're a criminal. The concept that you actually might not be a 'customer' is completely foreign to them. TVL doorsteppers are C*apita salespersons on commission.

OP, its simple. If you legally require a licence (Bob Saunders has given the correct info), buy one

If not there are 2 choices.
- Inform them - http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one
- Ignore them completely.

Be aware that the first choice is temporary. The automated letters will start again.
If you're in a rented property for less than 2 years though it won't be an issue.
The sting in the tail is that you can still be subject to a visit.
Because of the in-built assumption by the BBC that you can't really be legally licence-free.*
Ask me how I know...

 * I was btw, and still am.

TVL's knockers have no powers of entry.**
There is no compulsion on anyone to engage with them, so don't.
Better still don't answer the door to them in the first place.

** Only with a search warrant for which evidence of illegal activity is required.

[CoolHands]

JimSuperSix said:

That's not what he is asking. He's asking whether they are guilty of impersonating a police office and what powers they actually have.
Does no-one actually read the OP before they post anything...

i did but it’s irrelevant if you never read or respond to them

[OddCat]

I think the OP should just pay for a licence anyway.

How the hell are they going to afford to pay John Humpries £600k per annum, Jeremy Vine £700k per annum, Naga Munchetty £400k per annum etc etc if we don't all pay up ?

[SVTRick]

They turn up here every now and then.
Buzz the intercom at the gate and when asked state who they are.
Tell them I am a security guard.
Lot of random questions follow.
Meanwhile I let the dogs out.

Last time all I heard was lots of loud barking and a voice a bit distant saying fking hell they don't look to happy,
and watching the camera the pair of them are now about 15ft back from the gate.
Then they wander off after keep checking to make sure the gate is still shut.
Jog on BBC

[Sheepshanks]

Riley Blue said:

Another example of non-police officer enforcement is on-street parking where responsibility has passed to local councils who in turn often employ contractors to issue fines.

They issue penalties - only a Court can issue fines.

[vikingaero]

Crapita employees are trained to swindle their way inside. Normally an old dear or single mum will cave in thinking they have rights of entry. They don't. It's up to you how co-operative you want to be.

[rustfalia]

TVR Moneypit said:

To be fair Naga Munchetty is rather Pity she doesn't show quite as much leg in the mornings as she used to.

Same too for Sophie Rayworth. "Oi, Sophie. Stop wearing bloody trousers and get back in the short skirts!".

[TobyLerone]

I've been getting letters for about 5 years.

fk 'em. I'm not allowing them on my property, much less in my house.

I'm right in thinking a police officer has no right to enter your property without a warrant, or reasonable suspicion that you might be breaking the law?

And since it's a civil matter, they shouldn't be getting involved, right? Assuming that you don't degrade the visits from the TV licence people into law breaking territory, anyway?

[Riley Blue]

Sheepshanks said:

Riley Blue said:

Another example of non-police officer enforcement is on-street parking where responsibility has passed to local councils who in turn often employ contractors to issue fines.

They issue penalties - only a Court can issue fines.

Mea culpa.

[vikingaero]

Sneaky Crapita employees can claim to a Police Officer that you are being abusive and threatening to them and attempt to engage an officer into allowing him in. It's in the training to get inside under any pretense to observe the heinous crime of watching live broadcast TV. Sometimes they can see live TV being watched from the window or hear the sound of a live TV show. That would be enough evidence for them to apply to a magistrate for a warrant.

[jondude]

Thanks all.

I'm still a bit bemused by it. So let's say the Capita guy reads my rights on my doorstep and I say 'I do not respect your position here, so no comment at all'.

Then what? They pass this to whom, exactly?