PERSISTENT TV licence-dodgers in Worcestershire could have their comeuppance this week as TV Licensing launches its new stealth campaign.

The tactic is a move away from the body's previous crackdowns, where evaders were warned before licence enforcers target areas.

Now those viewers who watch TV without paying the statutory £109 fee can expect a knock at the door at any time of the day.

"We've worked hard over the past year looking at ways of improving our visiting activity," said John Robinson, head of prosecutions for TV Licensing.

"That's resulted in a 70 per cent increase in prosecutions.

"We already have a good mix of campaigns are working well, but we wanted to introduce something completely different.

"The new stealth activity aims to catch evaders off their guard," he added.

"It's just a matter of time before they're caught."

Those nabbed face a £1,000 fine - as well as being forced to pay the £109 fee.

Between April, 2000, and March this year, more than 60,000 licence-dodgers were brought to book in the region.