Worried Sky streamers rip out their illegal firesticks as officers raid homes trends now
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Worried Sky streamers have described how they are 'panicking' and removing their firesticks from the TV after police officers launched a crackdown on those illegally watching the service.
Police today warned people who illegally stream Sky TV that they are paying for 'organised crime' – a month after cracking down on a streaming service in a series of raids.
Hearing about the raids, one Sky TV streamer said: 'I'm sat here panicking looking at the front door as we speak.'
Police raided homes in London, Stoke, Glasgow and Edinburgh to shut down a service allegedly selling Internet Protocol TV devices (IPTV) – which can be used to access content illegally, including sports streams and films.
It's thought the service had up to 50,000 users and police seized computer equipment, laptops and mobile phones from all four locations.
A FACT officer visits the home of a suspected illegal streamer
Illegal streaming of sports and movie channels has been linked to organised crime
Sky TV worked with police forces during the crackdown on pirate streaming services
Using firesticks and services such as IPTV, there are ways to illegally watch pay-for TV channels
Four people have since been arrested in connection with the raids.
One has been charged with intellectual property theft, and the other three have been released.
'Cease and desist' notices have been sent to 200 people suspected to be involved in similar schemes.
Those who use firesticks to watch Sky services without paying the company have reacted to the raids with a mix of fear and incredulity.
One user joked about being asked: 'What have you done to get in prison?'. They answered: 'I used a fire stick to watch Tottenham get knocked out of FA cup, was
