Police Cracking Down on Illegal Sports and Movie Streaming
This week, police backed by anti-piracy group FACT are knocking on doors as part of a massive crackdown on illegal TV streaming. Dubbed “Operation Raider,” officers will visit 1,000 homes linked to a huge database of people caught watching sports and movies without paying.
Premier League Fans in Police Sights
The crackdown targets those using dodgy boxes and services to watch Premier League games, European football, and other movies and sports for free. The raids follow recent busts of UK-based illegal streaming operators providing the content.
Homeowners may be slapped with charges or warned to stop immediately. “The knock on the door will come as a huge surprise,” warned Detective Inspector Matt McNellis. “We use cutting-edge digital tactics to spot and take action against offenders.”
Illegal Streaming Fuels Organised Crime
- Crackdown backed by Premier League, Sky, BT Sport, Amazon
- Linked to fraud, scams, and serious organised crime
- Past culprits jailed – two men got 16 months for illegal streaming in 2021
Detective Chief Inspector Gary Robinson of the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit said: “Illegal streaming is not just a crime – it exposes viewers to data theft, malware, and funds organised gangs.”
FACT and Police Join Forces to Protect Communities
“We want the public to know the risks of illegal streaming and that prosecutions are real,” said FACT Chief Executive Kieron Sharp.
Thanks to West Mercia Police and other forces for supporting this vital operation.
The West Mercia Cybercrime Unit is leading efforts to cut organised crime funding through these crackdowns, helping keep communities safer from serious crime.
