More than 2,700 people were caught watching TV without a licence in the borough last year.

Thousands more licence-evaders were snared in Croydon by authorites compared to neighbouring boroughs. 

Figures published by TV Licencing reveal more than 1,300 people were caught in Bromley, with 1,100 caught in Merton and 900 in Sutton.

Victoria Sykes, TV Licensing spokesman, said: “The data released today shows evasion remains at historically low levels of approximately five per cent, with the overwhelming majority of people ensuring there are correctly licensed.

"In order to be fair to the law-abiding majority who do pay for their licence, we’ll continue to pursue the small minority of people do not pay."