‘Aggressive’ BBC license fee enforcement officer ‘knocks down’ disabled woman with car after ‘threatening’ her with court action
A BBC licence fee enforcement officer is claimed to have knocked down a disabled woman with a car after reportedly threatening her with a court action.
Amanda White, 50, says she was left lying hurt in the road after attempting to return a threatening letter to the officer on December 13, in Chorley, Lancashire.
The incident occurred after White, who uses a mobility scooter and suffers from arthritis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stopped paying the £169.50 TV licence fee in October.
Both Lancashire Police and TV Licensing are investigating the allegations.
White described a confrontational scene at her home, saying the enforcement officer was “very aggressive” when delivering a letter threatening court action.
She said: “I refused to accept the letter but he chucked it through my door as I was closing it.”
According to the 50-year-old, when she attempted to return the letter, the situation escalated dramatically.
“I had my hand on his vehicle and he just accelerated, pulling me to the ground,” she said. “He paused for a second up the road, clearly saw I was injured on the floor, and drove off. It’s disgusting.”
White says she is still suffering from the aftermath of the incident, reporting ongoing pain and distress.
She claimed: “I’ve hardly slept or eaten. I landed really hard on the road and injured my wrist.
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The Chorley resident, who lives alone, added: “I’m still in a lot of pain and can’t stop trembling.”
She remains in “agony and shock” following the confrontation, which occurred last Friday.
Dennis Reed, director of campaign group Silver Voices, criticised enforcement tactics, saying: “Some of these enforcers act as if they are bailiffs, using lawful powers, when they are nothing more than cheap salesmen.”
White explained her decision to stop paying the licence fee: “I can’t afford to keep paying it and I no longer want to watch the BBC, it’s as simple as that.”
The incident comes amid declining numbers of licence fee payers and growing criticism of BBC enforcement methods.
The BBC recently apologised for sending letters threatening to knock on non-payers’ doors on Christmas Day.
Silver Voices has called for an independent inquiry into TV Licensing’s approach, with director Dennis Reed saying: “We have long called for an independent inquiry into the threatening tactics used by TV Licensing.”
Lancashire Police confirmed they are investigating the incident, with a spokesperson stating that inquiries are ongoing.
A TV Licensing spokesman said the organisation was also conducting its own investigation into the allegations.
“We expect the highest standards from those working for us and take any allegations extremely seriously,” the spokesman said.
“We can confirm a complaint has been made following a visit by a contractor working on behalf of TV Licensing on 13 December, and this is now being investigated.”