Full list of areas targeted as police crackdown on 'dodgy' firesticks

Police forces across the UK have been cracking down on the use of "dodgy" firesticks that enable access to illegal sports streams and pirated TV. The Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) spearheaded a two-week enforcement campaign alongside local constabularies, aiming to take down piracy operations and targeting over 30 suppliers offering unauthorised paywalled content.

Homes were visited, and individuals received cease-and-desist notices both in person and by post, warning them of potential criminal charges if they continued their illicit activities. In Newport, a 42-year-old man was nabbed for his suspected role in illegal IPTV operations, including selling unlawful firesticks, with South Wales Police and FACT confiscating several devices.

The operation covered various regions throughout the UK. This follows the case of Jonathan Edge, 29, from Liverpool, who was sentenced to three years and four months in prison last month after admitting to three counts under the Fraud Act.

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Despite receiving a cease-and-desist letter from FACT, he persisted in peddling and using the firesticks, leading to his imprisonment after a private prosecution by the Premier League.

While it's not technically illegal to own a hacked or 'jailbroken' streaming device like a Firestick, using one to stream paywalled content for free is against the law. Kieron Sharp, CEO of FACT, has issued a stern warning that anyone using such a device could be "facing serious consequences"

He stated: "Our cease-and-desist measures are not just warnings-they are the first step toward holding offenders accountable. Many who ignored these notices in the past are now facing arrest and criminal charges. We strongly advise anyone involved in these activities to stop immediately."

"If you're supplying or using illicit streaming devices or illegal IPTV subscriptions, take this as a clear warning: you are breaking the law and risk facing serious consequences. We will continue working with police to track down and shut down these illegal operations."

"The police across the UK have been unstinting in their efforts to tackle this criminality and we are grateful for their assistance. To those using illegal streaming services, the message is that you're not just committing a crime; you are putting yourself at risk."

"These services often expose users to malware, scams, and data theft, with no recourse when things go wrong. The safest, smartest and only choice is to stick to legitimate providers for your entertainment."