Police raid Bolton pubs in foreign satellite crackdown

A fresh round of raids have occurred on pubs that are suspected of screening football matches via foreign satellite systems.

On Monday police raided three pubs in Bolton and seized screening equipment as part of investigations into alleged copyright breaches.

The raids came as the Premier League (PL) revealed that at least 20 licensees have given written undertakings to the PL not to screen foreign satellite football. The hosts also agreed to reveal details of the cards they used and the names of the suppliers.

A statement from Bolton Police said: "Police accompanied staff from Media Protection Services to three public houses and seized equipment that had been used to illegally broadcast Premier League matches.

"All evidence from the visits has been handed to Media Protection Services, which will pursue any prosecutions on behalf of the Premier League."

Inspector Philip Spurgeon from Bolton Police said: "It would be unfair to the law-abiding majority of licensees if we were to stand by and let this minority of licensees break the law with impunity."

Ray Hoskin, boss of Media Protection Services, said: "The next stage is to go for the suppliers. I expect that to happen in due course."

Meanwhile, Mark Elsdon, boss of North Wales-based Digisales, said he will plead not guilty to nine charges relating to copyright and fraud offences after allegedly selling decoder cards to pubs. A statement from the European Satellite Television Association (Esta) said Elsdon will also "carry on with his satellite TV distribution business".

Elsdon is due to appear before magistrates in Llan-dudno on 25 September.