BBC investigating ‘bullying’ TV license collectors who target 'vulnerable people'

The BBC has ordered a probe into TV license collectors after they were accused of using “bullying” tactics to target “vulnerable people” who have not paid.

Enforcement officers at Capita have allegedly targeted targeted a war veteran with dementia and a young mother in a women’s refuge for financial gain.

Staff are ordered to catch 28 evaders every week and promised incentive bonuses of up to £15,000 a year, according to the Daily Mail investigation.

The company is reportedly paid £58 million a year to collect licence fees for the broadcaster.

One of the bosses was allegedly caught telling an undercover journalist: “We will drive you as hard as we can to get as much as we can out of you because we’re greedy.”

The BBC has now ordered an urgent investigation into the report and said financial incentives were offered only for licence sales, not prosecutions.

A spokesperson said: ”We are very disappointed by the conduct of Capita’s interviewing managers in this particular case, which is not in line with the high standards we expect and does not reflect the policies in place.

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“We have asked Capita to investigate urgently and ensure swift and appropriate action is taken.”

She added: “We expect inquiry officers to behave in a courteous, professional manner and abide by a published code of conduct.

“Capita’s incentive scheme operates purely on licence fee sales, never on prosecution statements taken, and Capita has confirmed again that this is how it operates.”

Capita bosses also face being called to Parliament to explain themselves to MPs, according to the Daily Mail.

The company told the paper that its incentive scheme applied only to sales of licence fees, not the number of people officers interview so they can be taken to court.

Anyone with a television or who watches iPlayer without a licence can be fined up to £1,000 and be given a criminal record.

Top pic: Flickr