Pay before you travel taxi scheme

Taxi passengers will be made to pay before their journey

Taxi passengers in Blackburn could soon be made to pay before they travel in a bid to increase driver safety and reduce crime.

CCTV cameras will also be fitted to cabs across the borough to catch those who refuse to pay their fares.

The initiative will be launched by Lancashire Police and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.

It is hoped that the campaign will reduce the number of people who run off without paying.

Pc Andy Duxbury, of Lancashire Police, said: "We appreciate that this may come as a shock to some people in the beginning.

"However over a period of time will become the norm as customers get used to it.

"Taxi drivers provide a valuable service which a minority of people abuse.

"Hopefully this new cash up front policy in conjunction with extra taxi CCTV cameras will be an added valuable tool in protecting drivers and reducing crime and disorder."