According to the Media Guardian, media regulator OfCom is to press for tougher penalties against the people behind pirate radio stations following growing concerns that the pirates are taking over increasingly large portions of the airwaves, especially in London. Officials are also reportedly frustrated that whenever they raid a pirate radio station, the group behind it can quickly get back on air - sometimes within hours - mainly because a studio and transmitter costs as little as £3000 these days, while some stations bring in £5000 a week in advertising.
OfCom says that while many people have something of a romantic image of pirate radio, the 80 operating in London and 150 based elsewhere in the UK are interfering with legit radio services, while some pirate groups are tied up with drugs or other crime. With that in mind, OfCom chiefs are stepping up their efforts to close down pirate stations, and are hoping to secure the support of the courts to convince the people behind the pirates that they won't continue to get away with it.