CCTV call after attacks on taxis

Nasser Masood had a gun held to his head but the man ran away

Taxi drivers in West Sussex are calling for more funding for CCTV cameras after a series of attacks in Crawley.

A 19-year-old man is on police bail following the attacks in Northgate, in which three cab drivers were threatened with a handgun and two were robbed.

The drivers say they want CCTV cameras in their cabs but many cannot afford £600-£700 for installation.

Crawley Borough Council has offered funding of £250 each to 35 of the most vulnerable, mainly night drivers.

However, the town has 700 licensed taxi drivers.

Cabbie Nasser Masood was targeted by a masked man in Northgate last month.

There was lots of violence being threatened ... but they knew they were on CCTV and I wasn't harmed - it made a huge difference John Fraser

"I had been called to pick up a fare and when I got there somebody came out of the bushes with his face covered," he said.

"I didn't get a chance to lock my doors and he put a gun to my head and asked for the money.

"We had a big argument and he just ran away and I called the police."

One two other occasions in the past three weeks, small amounts of money were stolen from drivers. None was injured but police said they were all shocked.

Mr Masood said he would like CCTV but could not afford it.

Driver John Fraser has a camera but met the majority of the cost himself.

"Not long ago I had three lads planning to beat someone up who was the brother of a girl in the front of the cab," he said.

"There was lots of violence being threatened and I called the police but they knew they were on CCTV and I wasn't harmed - it made a huge difference."

Gian Chand Bajar died after being attacked in Gravesend

The drivers want to see a scheme such as that in Gravesend, Kent, where drivers' CCTV cameras have cost less than £100 per vehicle.

It was set up after the murder of taxi driver Gian Chand Bajar, 71, in May 2007. Luke Aujila, 21, was jailed for life a year later.

"The murder focused the drivers' attention that they were all at risk and we felt that CCTV in cabs was the best way to go," said Insp Paul Anderson.

"Luckily, in this area, we were able to get funding from the EU regeneration fund for the Thames Gateway so that was the key to making things happen."

"As well as supporting the drivers it increases safety and reassurance for passengers."

Crawley does not qualify for EU funding but Councillor Keith Blake said he would encourage all drivers working night shifts to think about its £250 offer.

"CCTV systems are a great way to deter criminals while making drivers and law-abiding passengers feel safer."

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Over the last month three cab drivers have been targeted by an armed gunman