The cameras, which can read the number plates of passing vehicles and instantly check whether road tax has been paid, have been set up at a series of sites across the three counties.

The "Stingray" cameras can even record the licence plates details of cars travelling at speeds in excess of 100 mph.

Drivers caught without up-to-date tax discs will have to pay �200 pounds or face the prospect of police impounding their vehicle.

Roadside clamping

John Moore, an enforcement manager for the DVLA, told BBC Hereford and Worcester the cameras are a useful weapon in catching out motorists who have not paid their road tax.

"We're going to set these (cameras) up, we're going to work in conjunction with the police," he said.

"We'll radio down to the police, they'll pull in any vehicles.

"People will face being clamped there and then at the roadside where they'll have to pay �200 to be released," Mr Moore added.

There are almost 40,000 untaxed vehicles across the West Mercia region.