Hundreds of people were caught watching TV without a licence last year.

TV Licensing caught and fined 320 people in Sutton and 230 in Carshalton for watching television without paying in 2012.

Victoria Sykes, TV Licensing spokeswoman, said: "The data released today shows evasion remains at historically low levels of approximately five per cent, with the overwhelming majority of people ensuring there are correctly licensed. In order to be fair to the law-abiding majority who do pay for their licence, we’ll continue to pursue the small minority of people do not pay."

A colour TV Licence costs £145 per year and is required by anyone watching or recording shows as they are shown on television whether it is through a TV, a computer, a mobile or any other equipment.