Parking spy car is revealed

This is the specially-adapted spy car that council chiefs are deploying as their latest weapon in the war against illegal parking.

Transport bosses in Wolverhampton say they have received "positive feedback" after the vehicle went on trial in the city — with schools in particular asking for it to return.

It has emerged taxpayers will not foot a five-figure bill for a spy car if it is introduced in Wolverhampton to target illegally parked cars, it was revealed today.

The adapted Toyota IQ worth £50,000 could be on the streets full-time from next February if councillors opt to introduce it when a report on the trial is presented to them in the spring. It would be loaned to them by parking firm Acpoa. Data collected while the trial car has been out on the road will be analysed starting today. No tickets have been issued.

Parking services manager Denise Eccleston said the early signs were encouraging.

"The main purpose is around schools to ensure parents take notice of the 'keep clear' signs and it has been really interesting to see how the car has worked," she said.

"As soon as people have seen the car they have got into their cars and moved away."

The car is fitted with a CCTV camera and automatic numberplate recognition technology, meaning tickets can automatically be sent out to offending drivers.