Introduction
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The use of radio continues to expand rapidly. This applies to business, broadcasting and leisure activities. The use of radio is carefully planned to give as high a standard of service as possible. Unauthorised use of radio can cause harmful interference to legitimate users. Safety of life may be put at risk if, for example, the radios used by emergency services suffer interference. The successful running of a business can be affected by radio interference. Listeners can be prevented from enjoying their favourite radio station by interference. This is why the Agency takes action to prevent interference and why the penalties that may be imposed for unlawful use of radio can be heavy. The majority of prosecutions, as the prosecution statistics show, are brought against users of illegal or unlicensed citizens' band radio and pirate radio broadcasters where, in many cases, the poor quality of the equipment used gives rise to interference to other radio users.
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The Mission of the Enforcement Policy Unit within the Agency is to be recognised by customers as the centre for advice and policy within the Agency on enforcement, interference and related matters concerning Wireless Telegraphy Legislation and associated Criminal Justice Legislation.
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Information Sheets & Forms
| RA 67 | The Radio Users Guide to the Law (Rev 14 March 2001) |
| RA 169 | Receive Only - Scanners, etc. (Rev. 7, January 2001) |
| RA 300 | Baldock - Monitoring Facilities (October 2000) |
| RA 376 | Authority for the Reception of Private Radio Messages Code of Practice (September 2000) |
| RA 414 | Interference from amateur and other hobby radio to domestic broadcast reception: investigation procedure (Rev.1, January 2003) |