TV licensing (Capita) impersonating police officers?
Discussion
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
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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
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?
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?
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.
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