Nearly 2,000 Redbridge homes were caught watching television without a licence last year.

The TV licensing authority pursues the estimated five per cent of viewers who evade paying the fee needed for watching live television on any device.

The 1,891 households caught out in Redbridge in 2012 was far higher than just 860 in Havering but below 2,400 in Barking and Dagenham.

Victoria Sykes, of TV Licensing, said: “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.

“We do understand some people may find it difficult to pay in one go, which is why we offer numerous ways to spread the cost.

“If people decide to watch TV without being properly licensed, they risk prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.”

A colour TV licence currently costs £145.50.