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We hear that television detector vans have recently been targeting business premises. A surprisingly wide range of businesses have television sets, but unfortunately not all have thought to buy television licences. In some cases, this may be because they have genuinely misunderstood the sometimes complex rules – but anyone without a licence risks a fine of up to £1,000.

Television sets are often provided to entertain customers – not only in places, such as public houses, where people go to enjoy themselves, but also anywhere customers may have to wait, such as a taxi office, a take-away or even a dental surgery. They are also frequently found in staff mess rooms and canteens.

Another point to watch is that any equipment used to receive television programmes requires a licence – and that includes a computer with a PCTV card. For that reason, television licensing officers have been paying particular attention to banks and financial service companies.