TV LICENSING has launched its new generation of detector vans in Bromsgrove.

The new vans not only use the most advanced technology, they are also the first to be designed with removable TV Licence branding - which makes them look like any other white van on the streets.

Mark Whitehouse, of TV Licensing Midlands, said: "These new vans really are a case of 'now you see it, now you don't.'

"By having the option of being able to remove the TV Licensing logo, licence evaders won't know we're in the area unless we want them to."

Last year in Bromsgrove, TV Licensing caught more than 50 evaders. The technology developed especially for this new generation of vans means that evaders are even more likely to be caught.

Mr Whitehouse added: "The new vans are so powerful they can tell if a TV is in use in as little as 20 seconds. And once the television is detected, the equipment - which works from up to 60m away - can pinpoint the actual room that the television set is in."

For the first time the detector vans will use GPS satellite technology to track down targeted addresses. This will enable TV Licensing to precisely target individual evader homes using up-to-the-minute information from its database of 28 million addresses.

TV detector vans help TV Licensing catch around 1,200 evaders every day. Anyone caught without a licence risks a trip to court and a fine of up to £1,000.

It is illegal to use or install television receiving equipment to receive television programme services if you are not properly licensed.