Illegal streaming: Fully loaded Kodi box sellers arrested in police raids targeting illegal streaming of Premier League matches

POLICE have arrested five people accused of selling fully loaded Kodi boxes as they mount a crackdown on illegal streaming of live Premier League matches.

Specialist officers mounted raids across the country targeting those advertising the sale of the devices – which allow buyers access to subscription channels showing sports, movies and television.

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Premier League and bosses from Sky, BT and Virgin have joined forces pushing for tighter enforcement of the laws to protect their individual rights deals which are worth billions.

The current TV broadcasting deal totalled more than £5billion, but they are under threat because of a huge growth in illegal free streaming of the protected content.

Police worked with the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) on behalf of the PL and tv companies to mount the early morning raids at five addresses in the north-west.

Homes in Manchester, Bolton, Cheadle, Bootle and Rhyl were searched and five arrests were made in connection with the case.

FACT claim those arrested had made more than £250,000 selling the boxes, which are loaded with software called Kodi.

The Kodi programme itself is a free piece of software built by volunteers which allows users to bring together music, vidoes, games and photos in one easy to use application.

Boxes with Kodi installed are not illegal, and bosses insist their programme does not break and laws because in itself it doesn’t provide any of the content that is provided on subscription.

But the software can be modified in the settings to allow the use of third-part add-ons which do provide illegal streams of sports as well as movies and television shows.

FACT director general Kieron Sharp claimed the arrests "should send out a clear warning to anyone involved in the sale and distribution of illegal set-top boxes.

"Set-top boxes loaded with apps and add-ons allowing access to copyright infringing material are very much illegal and anyone involved in selling these boxes should not be surprised to receive a knock on the door."

All five arrested have been released on bail.