Having received a number of complaints about disruption to Radio 4 by a pirate radio station operating in the Fulham area, Cllr Greg Hands is calling on the authorities to crack down on illegal broadcasters.

The Hammersmith & Fulham Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman was shocked to hear how easy it is for pirate operators to take over the airwaves and wants action taken by OFCOM and the Police to stop this intrusion into people's everyday lives.

One concerned resident, Harry Spencer-Smith of Fulham Broadway said:

"For a number of weeks, whenever I have been driving back home at night, the closer I get to the borough my radio picks up increasing amounts of interference, until eventually Radio 4 gets completely hijacked by a pirate station.

Equally, when I am listening to Radio 4 at home, instead of the midnight news I just keep getting 'hip hop'".

According to OFCOM, over 100 pirate stations operate in the London area.

Commenting on the situation, Cllr Hands said: "This is clearly unacceptable, as a large number of people in Fulham listen to Radio 4 regularly. Many people enjoy ending the day with the Radio 4 news and weather forecast, and as they have paid their license fee they should be able to get it!

"Fulham residents must not have their daily lives taken over in this way!"

Concerned residents should write to Cllr Hands at HFCA, 4 Greyhound Road, London W6 8NX or email news@greghands.com - who will pass all complaints onto OFCOM and the police.