Over 50 young people were caught without a TV licence in Swindon last year, risking fines of up to £1,000 each.

53 residents of the town between the ages of 18 and 25 were found to be watching live television or BBC iPlayer without the licence over the 12 months leading up to August 2017.

Over 33,000 young people were caught nationally in the same period, leading TV Licensing to highlight the rules regarding licences for young people and students.

Richard Chapman, the spokesperson for TV Licensing in the south-west, said: “With many students owning at least one device capable of showing live TV or watching BBC iPlayer – such as a laptop, smartphone or tablet computer – it’s important they know the law around being correctly licensed.

“If you’re watching live TV on any device, including mobiles and tablets, or watch catch-up programmes on BBC iPlayer, you need a TV Licence.

“Students and young adults need to be aware of their legal responsibilities. Anyone caught watching TV without a TV Licence can face prosecution and a fine of up to a £1,000.”

Students who live in halls of residence, or in shared houses with separate tenancy agreements to their housemates, require a TV licence for each room which contains a device for watching television.

Those in shared houses with a single tenancy agreement only require one licence.

Research by TV Licensing has also shown that BBC iPlayer is the most commonly used for service for on-demand television, with 82 per cent of students using the platform.

Mr Chapman said: “If students are concerned about paying for a TV Licence, they should get in touch.

“We know some people struggle to pay, and there are many payment options available, from paying in one go to spreading the cost over the year.

“Students can check if they need a licence on our website – www.tvlicensing.co.uk/studentinfo – or by calling 0300 790 6113.”