Published: Thursday, 2nd July, 2009 10:56am

Raid recovers digital TV boxes

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SIXTY TV set-top boxes were seized by police in a raid in Reading.

Detectives joined forces with Virgin Media and the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association as part of an operation to stop the illegal modification of digital TV set-top boxes.

A 25-year-old man from Kinson Road, Tilehurst, was arrested last week on suspicion of defrauding Virgin Media and has been released on police bail until 6 October, when he will return to Loddon Valley police station, pending further enquiries.

Det con Katie Smith from Reading CID said: "It is a serious offence to modify a receiver and police will always look to investigate those responsible under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act."

Malcolm Davies, Virgin Media's head of fraud and security said: "We will continue to work closely with all police forces throughout the UK to prosecute individuals connected with TV fraud."

Anyone with information about people supplying or using illicit equipment to receive Virgin Media TV channels can call the confidential hotline on 0800 096 7800