Haringey Liberal Democrats Leader Neil Williams has welcomed moves by a group of North London councils to tackle the problem or radio piracy in the area. However, he says that he is disappointed that Haringey Council is not yet participating in the group and is urging Haringey Council to join forces with neighbouring boroughs to help tackle the problem of illegal radio broadcasts.

The new group, the London Pirate Radio Enforcement Practitioners Group, met for the first time last week and includes representatives from Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Barking Councils.

Cllr Williams says the problem of pirates radio stations is a serious one, particularly in hilly Highgate where illegal operators attach aerials to blocks of flats in the area. As well as blocking the airwaves, the pirates can instill fear among residents from the sounds of the people installing them at night. Lib Dem councillors in Highgate have previously called on the Council act quickly to remove aerials on council properties, as pirates will soon get tired losing their aerial and broadcasting equipment if faced with a determined local council.

Cllr Neil Williams comments:

“Haringey Council needs to work with other councils to tackle this problem, as pirates will often move their aerials from one location to another. There is too great a tendency to see pirate operators as heroic pioneers, when in reality this is a social menace which is a nuisance to residents and can interfere with legitimate broadcasters, police and emergency service frequencies.

Lib Dem Parliamentary spokesperson Lynne Featherstone adds:

“I welcome this initiative, and we are asking Haringey to ensure they get involved in the new group as soon as possible. Telecoms regulators and radio stations are on their own not able to get to grips with the problem of piracy, and it is only with boroughs working together and sharing information on pirates that they can be controlled.”