More than 720 people were caught watching TV without a licence in Islington during the first six months of this year.

It compares to just over 460 in neighbouring Camden and just 340 in Westminster, with some 204,000 caught across the UK in total.

Victoria Sykes, TV Licensing spokesperson, said: “If people decide to watch TV without being properly licensed, they risk prosecution and a fine of up to �1,000.”