The number of UK consumers turning to illegal streams for sports and premium channels has “gone through the roof”, according to the country’s top intellectual property crime unit, prompting warnings of deeper links between piracy and organised crime.
Detective Chief Inspector Emma Warbey, who leads the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) at the City of London Police, said officers are being overwhelmed as streaming sticks and hacked media boxes become commonplace in British homes. Many are preloaded with illicit apps offering free access to everything from live football to subscription TV – often at the click of a remote.
Despite the explosion in use, Warbey admitted that most individual users operate with little risk of prosecution.
“We can’t arrest everybody in the UK that’s doing it,” she said, stressing that her team is focusing on the “people at the top of the tree” – the gangs behind the supply chains and illegal networks profiting from widespread digital theft.
The unit is now deploying cease-and-desist warnings to lower-level sellers and targeting major organised crime groups with international reach. One case, involving a pirate service used by over 22 million people globally, is expected to go to trial later this year.
Amazon Fire Sticks used to steal content
Broadcasters, particularly Sky, have warned the trend is eroding the value of sports rights. Sky claims Amazon Fire Sticks are involved in around half of all illegal Premier League streams in the UK, costing the industry hundreds of millions. Amazon says it prohibits the sale of illegal devices and issues in-device warnings.
Warbey rejected the idea that piracy is harmless. “It isn’t a victimless crime,” she said.
“Your hard-earned money could be going to fund drugs, forced labour, and even people trafficking.”
She also warned users that many are unwittingly handing over personal data to criminal networks, increasing the risk of fraud and identity theft.
While police resources remain stretched, Warbey said the battle is as much about changing perception as it is enforcement: “It’s really hard to stop people doing it – but it’s not without consequence.”
With household budgets squeezed, the allure of free sport is growing – but authorities are making it clear: that cheap stream may come at a much higher price.
