Pirate radio clampdown on Hackney estates

Published by Natalie Powell for Hackney Homes in Housing and also in Local Government

Hackney Homes continues its tough stance on pirate radio by shutting down illegal stations. In the past few months, equipment used to illegally transmit have been removed from a number of locations across Hackney.

According toWayne Hylton,Hackney Homes’ Estate Safety Manager who works to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour on housing estates, pirate radio presents a number of problems on estates.

“Pirate radio is illegal and while they cause a nuisance for residents trying to listen to legitimate radio stations, it is far more serious than that,”Waynesaid.

“There is a strong link between pirate radio and crime, and the noise and nuisance that this causes on estates blights the wellbeing of residents”.

Operators of pirate radio face criminal prosecution and a possible jail sentence. All equipment is confiscated and if they are a tenant ofHackney Homesthey can lose their tenancy as well.

To report a suspected pirate radio, call 020 8356 3310 and all reports are treated with confidence.