THERE are more TV licence dodgers than ever in York, according to new figures released by government experts.

But the city's citizens are still more law-abiding than those in some other parts of Yorkshire.

A recent survey for TV Licensing has placed York in ninth position out of the worst ten offending districts in the region, with 363 people caught without a licence between January and June. Scarborough comes in at number eight, with 381.

At the beginning of 2004, York was hovering just outside the top ten, being placed 11th.

In the latest statistics, Sheffield topped the list, with 3,115 evaders caught, followed by Leeds with 2,522 and Bradford with 1,477.

Deborah Copeland, spokesperson for TV Licensing in the north, said: "This shows that people are not getting away with trying to dodge the law.

"In fact, nationwide evasion is estimated to be a record low of 5.7 per cent.

"However it's disappointing that those determined to break the law continue to give York a bad name, especially as the honest majority do pay the licence fee.

"Evaders should remember that we have a database of over 28 million addresses, which records whether properties are licensed or unlicensed, and our officers and detector vans focus on those properties which have no record of a TV licence.

"Anyone who is caught risks an appearance in court, and a fine of up to £1,000 and court costs, and they also still have to get a licence.

"So it's for their benefit, as well as the good name of their town, that they buy a licence today."

The listings are the latest attempt by TV licence investigators to name and shame those who break the law.

In July, 2000, TV Licensing targeted York TV licence dodgers with bus adverts declaring: "There are three homes in Etty Avenue YO10 without a television licence."

This naming and shaming, which also targeted Constantine Avenue and Barkston Avenue, proved unpopular with local residents' groups who took to the streets displaying their TV licences.

For information on how to get a licence, phone 0870 2415590 or visit www.tvlicensing.co.uk

Updated: 09:08 Monday, July 26, 2004