AT least one person a day was caught without a TV licence in Redditch last year, writes Julian Seva.

Between March 1, 2000 and February 28, 2001, 468 licence dodgers were caught - a figure a TV licensing spokesman said was 'pretty high for a town of its size.'

Now the licensing authority is warning residents it is launching a new campaign called See Sense and will be visiting addresses across town this month.

TV Licensing has a database of 26 million addresses and state-of-the-art detection equipment which can tell if a TV is being used.

TV Licensing manager for central and east regions Paul Johnston said: "Between March 1, 2000 and February 28, 2001, 10,423 people who thought they could get away with it were proved wrong.

"This month, enquiry officers will be visiting unlicensed addresses in the area.

"The ideal time to visit is during peak viewing times when we know people will be watching television, during popular soaps or major sporting events."

Mr Johnston added: "Remember too that enquiry officers catch on average one evader every working hour, so the net is tightening around those evaders who are left."

People without a license risk a trip to court and a fine of £1,000.

Last year the Redditch Advertiser reported about how town magistrates dealt with about 25 TV licence evaders in one day.

A colour TV licence costs £109 per year.

For more details call 08705 763763.