TV licence dodgers in Bournemouth are being warned they are being watched after new figures showed the town has retained top position in Dorset's licensing league of shame.

A total of 599 evaders were caught in Dorset during the first six months of this year, with 271 hailing from Bournemouth.

Poole ranks second with 176 licence-flouters and Christchurch comes third with 25 law-breakers detected.

Twenty-five illegal TV viewers were caught in Wimborne with Portland and Dorchester holding joint fifth place with 21 householders found breaking the licensing laws.

TV Licensing spokesperson Jessica Ray said: "The summer holidays may be here but our enquiry officers are now working round the clock, especially during televised sporting events like the Ashes tests.

"They can easily tell whether there is a television being used in an unlicensed property.

"Evaders should remember that we have a database of more than 28 million addresses which means that we can see, at the touch of a button, whether an address is licensed.

"Last year, on average, we caught over 1,000 licence fees evaders every day.

"Instead of splashing out on a late summer holiday, hundreds of people in Bournemouth could be risking a fine of up to £1,000 for not buying a TV licence.

"It's disappointing that those determined to break the law continue to give Bournemouth a bad name, especially as the vast majority of viewers do pay for their TV licences."

Improved detection techniques have led to a record licence evasion low with an estimated five per cent of viewers now willing to take the risk.

Licence evaders risk a criminal conviction and fine of up to £1,000 plus court costs.

For more information on concessions available and ways to pay the £126.50 licence fee phone 0870 2415590.

First published: August 9, 2005