CCTV in cabs to tackle taxi yobs

A taxi company on Teesside is installing CCTV cameras in its cars to protect drivers from attacks.

The drastic step is being taken by Middlesbrough's largest cab firm, Boro Taxis, which has 350 cars.

The company has had three attacks on its drivers in the past year, including one where a man was left unconscious.

Drivers will now be able to activate a secret button to record what is going on in the car if the driver feels threatened.

Mohammed Bashir, director of Boro Taxis, said he hoped the move would act as a deterrent.

He said: "We had to take the decision to install the cameras because we have had some serious attacks on drivers.

'Life in danger'

"It is impossible for every driver to have someone with them all the time, so the next best thing is to get a picture of the people who are causing the trouble.

"It is not a big problem but when it does happen somebody's life is in danger and one incident is too many."

The taxis will have the latest cameras, about the size of a matchbox, which are able to capture wide-angled images and can operate in darkness

Mr Bashir said: "The cameras can relay data back to the control room and if a driver presses an emergency button, the control room can view what is going on and track him to the nearest 10 yards to get him assistance."

"All vehicles will be labelled to say they are monitored by CCTV and we hope that if people see the stickers the problems will be avoided."