Anti-piracy police will target 1,000 homes where football fans are watching illegal Premier League streams and then prosecute if they don’t stop tuning in
- Police are set to visit 1,000 homes to talk about their use of illegal streams
- They believe that fans are using modified fire sticks to watch games illegally
- Police will tell individuals that they could be prosecuted if they keep watching
Police are reportedly set to visit 1,000 homes in the coming week to warn fans that they could face prosecution if they continue to watch Premier League matches on illegal streams.
The authorities are working with anti-piracy investigators from Federation Copyright Theft (FACT) in ‘Operation Raider’ to track individuals who have been watching games in England and across Europe illegally via modified boxes or fire sticks, as reported by The Mirror.
They are now taking matters into their own hands and will go and knock on people’s doors to warn them about the potential consequences of their actions.
Police are set to visit the homes of people they believe have been watching games illegally
The targeted individuals could be served with notices and will be told to stop using the streams immediately to avoid further sanctions.
The streams have also been used to watch other sports and movies, which the police are keen to clamp down on.
They believe that this type of practice can also be linked with organised crime gangs.
Detective Chief Inspector Gary Robinson, of the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit, said: ‘Accessing films, TV series and live sports events from unauthorised sources is illegal, can expose consumers to risks such as data theft and malware, and can help fund organised criminal groups.’
The authorities think people have been watching top-flight matches on illegal streams
West Mercia police recently raided a UK-based illegal streaming service, and they are keen to continue their work to eradicate the issue, having put together a detailed database to identify those using the streams.
‘We are able to deploy cutting-edge digital tactics to identify and detect people who break the law before carrying out enforcement activity in concert with our partners,’ Detective Inspector Matt McNellis, of West Mercia’s Cyber Crime Specialist Operation explained.
‘Often, illegal streaming is used to fund Serious Organised Crime and West Mercia Cybercrime Unit is committed to interdicting this source of criminal revenue and reducing the harm organised crime groups can do to our communities.’
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