Bradford has moved up the league of shame for television licence dodgers.

A total of 3,323 people were caught without a licence in the district in 2006, according to latest TV Licensing figures.

Bradford is now the fourth worst place in Yorkshire for licence-dodging and the 13th worst in the country. In 2005 Bradford was the fifth worst in Yorkshire and the 18th worst in the country.

Hull topped the Yorkshire chart with 5,360 licence dodgers, Leeds had 4,457 and Sheffield 3,675.

Charlotte Hancock, spokesman for TV Licensing for the north, said: "While the figures suggest we have been more successful this year at catching evaders in Bradford, for the people of the city moving up this particular league is nothing to be proud of."

She said TV Licensing inspectors continued to catch an average of around 1,000 licence dodgers a day.

Licence dodgers risk prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000. A colour licence costs £135.50 and a black and white TV licence costs £45.50.

For information on the concessions available and ways to pay, call 0870 241 5590 or visit www. tvlicensing.co.uk

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