Dear British Broadcasting Corporation,

I am making this request for information on enforcement of TV Licence evaders, and those individuals ending up in front of a magistrate on information attained through external TV detector devices.

The information that i have received through official sources is that the TV detector is an external camera that is pointed through a window of a target dwelling.The light being emitted from the television is then reflected back from the dwelling onto the lens of the detector. It has been stated that a television will emit light that the detector can then decode into electrical impulses. This will then confirm if live broadcast signals are being received at the target address.

Can you please confirm if:

1/ This detection method that is being used, can it distinguish between a live broadcast, or an individual using a TV as a computer monitor, or watching a DVD. This question is to confirm Capita 97% confidence factor in confirmation of receiving live broadcasts.

2/ Has the television detection equipment that is in service by CAPITA,(TV Licence) been given regulatory authority or authorization for evidential purposes in any subsequent criminal hearing. If authority has been attained, which government authority has permitted testimony as a result of these devices to be used in criminal proceedings by an employee of TV Licence (Capita)

It is a criminal offence to make a false or misleading statement to a Justice of the Peace or Magistrate under oath. For the avoidance of doubt I am not asking HOW the TV detectors work. I am asking under what statutory authority evidence attained through any detector is permissible in a court of law, and what government authority has given that authority.

The two questions that i have asked are not exempt under sections 31(1)(a),b),d)and(g) and (2)a) of the Act as these are judicial questions being asked, not corporate or sensitive operational reasons. The provision of Article 6 European Convention of Human Rights will take precedent. All UK statutory legislation has to be compatible with convention rights.

Yours faithfully,

Keith Humphries