TV licence prosecutions: FOI release
Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002
Information requested
1) How many people in Scotland were prosecuted for not paying their TV licence in Scotland over the last 5 years?
2) Can I please have a break down per year and also per region?
3) How many people in Scotland were convicted for not paying their TV licence in Scotland over the last 5 years?
4) Can I please have a break down per year and also per region?
Response
The answer to your question is provided in the attached excel workbook.
In the UK the non-payment of the licence fee is a criminal offence. The television licence fee and whether or not evasion of it is a criminal offence is a matter reserved to the UK Government.
The prosecutorial function is, however, devolved and in Scotland the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service has have placed a greater emphasis on alternatives to prosecution.
Further information on types of non-court disposals is available in the 'Criminal Proceedings in Scotland, 2017-18' publication which can be viewed via the undernoted link. If you do not have access to the internet then please let me know and we can provide a printed copy for you.
https://www.gov.scot/publications/criminal-proceedings-scotland-2017-18/
About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.
Contact
Please quote the FOI reference
Central Enquiry Unit
Email: ceu@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000
The Scottish Government
St Andrews House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG
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