'I worked as TV licence officer - I'll never forget one chilling incident'
A former TV licence enforcer has lifted the lid on her time tracking down licence fee dodgers, including locking her doors to keep out irate members of the public.
Amy Fenton, now a reporter with Reach, spent three years with Capita TVL where she confronted people who had, for one reason or another, neglected to pay their TV fee. Joining the firm after just buying a house with her boyfriend, she started in the call centre, taking phone calls from customers who needed to renew or check the details of their TV licence.
She eventually became an enforcement officer for the team in Liverpool, joining several ex-military or retired police officers. After completing her training she was sent on a batch of 'visits' with details of each unlicensed address and any names or previous occupants' information.
She told LancsLive : “Whether you agree with it or not, and irrespective of what might happen in the future to the controversial fee, if you want to watch telly, a TV licence remains a legal obligation. Refusal to pay can lead to a fine of up to £1,000. But, as someone who worked as an enforcement officer for three years, it's clear that there are many grey areas for the majority of the public.
“The job was incredibly well-paid, and I could sometimes double my wage with commission earned from the sale of a TV licence, but it wasn't without its risks and drawbacks. I remember visiting one terraced house in Chorley, seeing the TV was on through the window, but nobody answered the door. I returned to my car, making the new-starter mistake of not locking my door once I got in, to then have an irate and aggressive woman pull open my door, attempt to steal my paperwork and punch me in the face. I somehow managed to shut the door and raced to the police station.
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“On another occasion, in Great Harwood , I was invited inside a man's house to 'inspect it' after he told me he didn't have a TV. Whenever anyone says this to an enforcement officer we have to ask if we can look inside (as more often than not they would be lying). After a cursory glance downstairs, and spotting no television, I was making my way to leave when the man said 'hang on, you need to look upstairs too'. My naivety led to me saying 'ok' and I walked up the stairs with the man behind me. Stupidly, I did, and as I entered the room I heard the door close behind me. Stunned, I couldn't think of anything to say other than 'I'm going now' and fortunately he opened the door.”
Despite the occasional unfortunate incident, she said she enjoyed the job, adding: “It suited my university schedule perfectly as I could choose as and when I went out working (and in fact evenings were more productive as people were more likely to be at home). However much I might have enjoyed it though, it didn't deter me from following my dream of becoming a reporter, as I happily am now.”
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