The people in Wiltshire prosecuted for not paying the TV licence fee

Ministry of Justice figures show there were 139 adults prosecuted for TV licence evasion in Wiltshire in 2022.

The new figures come as license fee is increased from £159 to £169.50 this month.

The £10.50 rise, which was introduced on April 1, was the first increase following a two-year price freeze.

A TV licence is a legal requirement for anyone wanting to watch live TV on terrestrial channels, or online streaming.

The fine for not having a licence is up to £1,000 plus any legal costs.

Additional compensation may also be ordered.

Of the 139 Wiltshire residents prosecuted for not paying their licence fee, 123 were women.

This accounts for 88 per cent of those prosecuted.

Across England and Wales, women made up 74 per cent of all TV licence fee prosecutions.

Tom Franklin, the chief executive of the Magistrates’ Association, said the organisation is concerned the offence disproportionately affects women.

Hundreds in Wiltshire have been prosecuted for not paying their licence fee (Image: Newsquest)

He said: "According to TV licencing data, this gender disparity is not reflected in who holds the TV licence, which suggests that the disparity results from either capacity or willingness to pay, or the enforcement practices being followed."

He added it is thought women are more likely to register as heads of household or are more likely to be home during the day,therefore more likely to answer the door to inspectors.

"What we are clear about is that a better understanding is needed of what is behind the disparity, and then action should be taken to address it going forward," he said.

A TV Licencing spokesperson said: "Prosecution is always a last resort and our priority is to help people stay correctly licensed."

They added the issue of why more women are prosecuted than men is a "complex one".

They said: "It was the subject of an in-depth, independently overseen review published last year which found no evidence that TV Licensing deliberately discriminates against any group; that gender is not a factor in the way that we collect the licence fee and that broader societal factors, such as financial hardship and household composition, drive the disparity.

"We are now implementing a 10-point plan to offer further support to people, mitigate the risks of these societal factors where possible, and therefore reduce the risk of prosecution."

The Ministry of Justice figures cover a period before the BBC's review and the action plan were put in place.