‘Dream box’ decoders are illegal: PSNI

Police are reminding people in the Causeway Coast and Glens area that using a decoder or so called “Dream Box” is illegal.
CH. Insp Catherine Magee, Leanne Abernethy Vice Chair PCSP and Supt John Magill Causeway Coast and Glenns District show some of the devices that can be adapted to watch TV illegally. INCR48-15001BWCH. Insp Catherine Magee, Leanne Abernethy Vice Chair PCSP and Supt John Magill Causeway Coast and Glenns District show some of the devices that can be adapted to watch TV illegally. INCR48-15001BW
CH. Insp Catherine Magee, Leanne Abernethy Vice Chair PCSP and Supt John Magill Causeway Coast and Glenns District show some of the devices that can be adapted to watch TV illegally. INCR48-15001BW

Superintendent John Magill said: “I understand that for some people a decoder may seem like a good purchase in the run up to Christmas.

“But anyone tempted to use a decoder must understand that doing so constitutes fraud.

“Selling decoders is a more serious offence, and there have been prosecutions in the past few years for both selling and using decoders.”

The police chief went on: “We believe that those selling decoders may well be involved in other forms of criminality.

“Do you really want to be lining the pockets of criminals?

“Is what Christmas is about?

“As a consumer you have no legal protection when these decoders fail.

“Your spend could come to nothing when the decoder is scrambled.”

Superintendent Magill continued: “In reality, we will not be dedicating our resources into targeting ordinary people who use decoders.

“However, we want people to understand that they are illegal, and that where we see decoders being used we will act on what is a criminal offence.

“We will be looking more seriously at those selling decoders locally.

“If you have any information on criminality within our communities please call the police non-emergency number 101. Or, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”