Users of illegal 'dodgy' fire sticks have been issued a warning as police launch another crackdown on the streaming method. Eight regions across the UK are being targeted by police and copyright specialists. Approximately five million people in the UK are believed to use fire sticks that have been altered with software to display paid-for subscription services such as Sky, Netflix, Disney+ and TNT Sports.

Police maintain that these devices, which have been 'cracked' or 'jailbroken', are frequently connected to organised crime and gangs. Despite this, they have surged in popularity in recent years, with users paying around £50 a year to gain access to a vast array of content, including live Premier League football matches, films and TV series.

Police have been collaborating with the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) in an attempt to target suppliers of the devices. Operation Eider has intensified its efforts and resulted in crackdowns across eight regions of the UK.

They are: London, the South West, North West, North East, Scotland, Wales, Yorkshire and Humber, and the West Midlands. Individuals in those regions suspected of supplying the fire sticks have been issued with cease and desist letters and been visited by officers.

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"FACT's enforcement activities against illegal streaming are ongoing throughout the year," FACT chairman Kieron Sharp said. "Together with our partners and the police, we constantly review new intelligence and target those areas of the UK and Ireland where the data shows that illegal streaming activity is taking place.

"Our investigations are thorough, and we are relentless in our determination to stop illegal streaming and bring offenders to justice. To avoid jeopardising operations that are in progress, we do not share details publicly until enforcement action has been completed."

The caution comes after a series of prominent prosecutions. Jonathan Edge from Liverpool was jailed in November 2024 following his use of Amazon fire sticks to broadcast Premier League football.

He was privately prosecuted by the Premier League and admitted three fraud offences, resulting in a three-year-and-four-month prison sentence at Liverpool Crown Court.

Detective Sergeant Adam Dagnall of Merseyside Police's Cybercrime Unit said: "Merseyside Police takes illegal streaming seriously because it often helps fund organised crime and puts users at real risk.

"Not only is it a criminal offence, but the unauthorised streaming services frequently contain malware that can compromise personal devices and lead to the loss of information such as banking details, or be used to commit identity fraud. Legitimate providers have security measures that protect users from these threats. Please don't be tempted by cheap so-called 'fully loaded' or 'jailbroken' devices, even as Christmas gifts - you could end up getting more than you bargained for."

The Premier League said in a statement after he was sentenced: "Edge ignored multiple warnings to stop this activity, which was referenced by the judge and treated as an aggravating factor towards the sentence passed. The judge also recognised that legitimate subscribers are victims of these fraudulent operations and therefore their impact goes beyond that experienced by the broadcast industry."

In a separate case, Stephen Woodward was jailed for three years after generating £1.1million from three illegal streaming platforms over a seven-year period.