BBC's 'covert surveillance' operations and TV detection equipment used to catch ... trends now
TV detection equipment used to catch suspected licence fee evaders is 'struggling to keep up' with technological changes, an inspection report has revealed.
A detailed review into how the BBC runs these 'covert surveillance' operations said the 'success rate' of such tactics was 'limited'.
The report pointed out that only a 'small number' of 'deployments' of TV detection teams actually resulted in 'further enforcement action'.
Critics of the current licence fee funding model say the review indicates how 'outdated' and 'unenforceable' the current system is.
A detailed review into how the BBC runs 'covert surveillance' operations said the 'success rate' of such tactics was 'limited'
The inspection by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner's Office (IPCO), which oversees the use of such intrusive methods, provides a rare insight into the secretive world of the BBC's detection operations.
IPCO's report also said bosses in charge of authorising this undercover work 'fall short' in considering the 'proportionality' of signing-off such action.
The BBC is responsible for collecting the licence fee, with TV Licensing used as a trademark for companies contracted to carry out collection and enforcement functions.
The undercover techniques generally rely on 'covert vehicles which contain the detection equipment' to see if a TV is being used at an address.
Use of these covert methods is signed off by senior BBC managers but is carried out by staff working for contractor Capita.
The inspection report, from 2022, which was uncovered by the TV Licensing Blog, using Freedom of Information rules, says: 'The Capita detection team are well practised in the delivery of the authorised activity and generally deploy in covert vehicles which contain the detection equipment.
'Operatives conduct a full risk assessment of the site prior to any deployment.
'That said, the success rate is limited, with only a small number of deployments resulting in further enforcement action, such as the execution of a search warrant.
'This could be due to the limitations of the detection equipment, which is apparently struggling to keep up with the technological advancements in television viewing.'
Peter Jones, lead author of the TV Licensing
