ONLY 43 young people were caught watching TV without a licence in Oxfordshire in the past year - making it the lowest-ranking county for offenders across the south east. 

New figures released by TV licensing show the county is far better at paying the fee than Kent, where 694 18-25 year olds were caught, and Berkshire, where 240 people didn't pay up. 

TV Licensing is reminding students they could face prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000 if they are caught watching live TV, or BBC programmes on iPlayer, on any device, without a TV Licence.

Recent research shows that the number of students taking a TV to university has risen from 23 per cent to 27 per cent since last year.

Despite the explosion in popularity of smartphones and tablets, a television is still the most used device for students watching live or recorded TV. 

Almost half of students think that TV Licensing is actively looking for students who are evading.

Cody Want, spokesperson for TV Licensing London and South East, said: “Every year there are myths which circulate around campus about when you do and don’t need a licence.

"As most students own at least one device capable of showing live TV or watching BBC iPlayer - such as a laptop, smartphone or tablet computer – it’s important they know the law around being correctly licensed. 

"If you’re watching live TV on any device, including mobiles and tablets, or watch catch up programmes on BBC iPlayer, you need to be covered by a TV Licence.”