Illegal file-sharers in the Humberside region are having their internet service cut off by their provider after the three-strike policy was put into full effect by the organisation.

Karoo announced that users in and around Hull will be completely disconnected for repeat offending, without any notification that they have been taken out of the online loop - a move which may affect less vigilant small businesses in IT in the region.

It is understood that Karoo is making people sign official documents admitting their guilt, should they want to get their service restored, otherwise they will be disconnected for up to two years.

The move does not sit well with the Open Rights Group, which slammed the move as an operation outside of the boundaries of the legal system.

Furthermore, Karoo's position as the only telecoms company in Hull also means people are unable to seek any alternatives.

Karoo is operated by Kingston Communications, which owns the only phone lines in the city.

In a recent survey of SMEs for Connect, the two most important benefits of outsourcing were guaranteed response times and allowing in-house IT staff to concentrate on more strategic issues.