News story about raids by UK media regulator Ofcom on 44 pirate radio stations in the London market and seizure of 53 transmitters, written by Grant Goddard in November 2005 for The Radio Magazine.

1. NEWS: OFCOM RAIDS 44 PIRATE
RADIO STATIONS IN LONDON
AND SEIZES 53 TRANSMITTERS
by
GRANT GODDARD
www.grantgoddard.co.uk
November 2005

2. UK media regulator Ofcom raided pirate radio stations across London last
week, in the wake of media attention about illegal radio broadcasts in
Birmingham. The operation launched on 29 October resulted in the seizure of
53 radio transmitters, the disabling of 17 transmitters and aerials, action
against 43 subscribers of phone numbers used by the stations, and nine
warning letters sent to nightclubs that had booked advertising on the pirates.
Ofcom estimates that there are 150 pirate stations in operation across the UK,
half of which are in London. Raids on pirate studios have uncovered drugs and
weapons, including guns, which Ofcom says demonstrates “a direct link
between some illegal broadcasters and serious crime”. An Ofcom spokesman
said: “We are aware of certain criminal families that run pirate stations as part
of their network of illegal activities. They get £5,000 a week in untaxed revenue
and they can also use the station to promote other events they are involved in.
There are strong links between some nightclubs and pirate stations.” The
spokesman added: "We know that station owners charge DJs for slots on their
stations and some are turning over more than £5,000 in untaxed income a
week. Many raids on pirate stations have uncovered links to drugs. We've had
pirate stations playing a particular song as code to local gangs, telling them
drugs are available for collection."
Robert Thelen-Bartholomew, Ofcom head of field operations, said: “Illegal
broadcasting affects safety of life services and has links with serious crime.
Ofcom will continue to pursue and prosecute those involved in this criminal
activity.”
The raids took 44 stations off-air and reduced the number of stations in
London by 57% four days after the start of the operation. The campaign
involved 18 Ofcom field staff supported by 32 Metropolitan Police officers.
John Anthony, London Fire Brigade assistant commissioner, said: “Pirate radio
transmissions interfere with, and sometimes entirely disable, the
communications systems the London Fire Brigade relies on. The interference
makes it more difficult for the fire fighters to go about their daily business of
protecting Londoners.”
A spokesman for National Air Traffic Services said: “Unauthorised broadcasts
on or close to frequencies used by air traffic controllers can interfere with the
passing of vital information between air traffic controllers and pilots. They can
also affect the navigation aids used as landmarks. NATS has very strong
working relationship with Ofcom who act promptly to take enforcement action
when any interference with air traffic control is detected.”
Paul Brown, chief executive of the Commercial Radio Companies Association,
said: "Commercial radio provides properly regulated, socially responsible
content to its 31 million listeners. Pirate radio broadcasters pay no copyright or
licence fees, yet they take revenue from commercial radio stations, all of whom
fulfil the terms of detailed licence conditions and who generate jobs and
revenue in their transmission areas. CRCA therefore welcomes today's
announcement of Ofcom's London initiative."
News: Ofcom Raids 44 Pirate Radio Stations In London And Seizes 53 Transmitters Page 2
©2005 Grant Goddard

3. News: Ofcom Raids 44 Pirate Radio Stations In London And Seizes 53 Transmitters Page 3
©2005 Grant Goddard
In 2004, Ofcom’s 75 officers made 1.021 raids, leading to 52 convictions for
illegal broadcasting.
[First published in 'The Radio Magazine' as 'Ofcom Raids 57 Pirates' [sic], #709, 9 November 2005]
Grant Goddard is a media analyst / radio specialist / radio consultant with thirty years of
experience in the broadcasting industry, having held senior management and consultancy
roles within the commercial media sector in the United Kingdom, Europe and Asia. Details at
http://www.grantgoddard.co.uk