TAXI drivers in Burnley want radio links to police introduced to cabs to protect them against yobs.

A similar pilot scheme ended just three months ago but cabbies have called for it to be brought back in following what they say has been an escalation of violence against drivers.

Naz Hamed, manager of Kings Taxis, believes the system where drivers and the police can contact each other to report incidents will help to reduce the amount of attacks on cabs in the town.

The 24-year-old said following the withdrawal of the pilot scheme his taxis have been attacked at least seven times.

He said: "The police response radio went off the air three months ago but I thought it was a good thing for taxi drivers to have.

"If anything happened we got a quick police response."

Mr Hamed claims said the latest incident of vandalism on one of his cars was on Friday in Brunshaw Road, when a window was smashed. After going to the aid of the driver a gang of youths set upon him.

Earlier this month, Sikander Khan's cab was attacked by a gang of youths in Brownside Road.

His passenger was hit on the cheek by the brick but was unhurt.

Mr Hamed said in the past three years the relationship between the police and taxi operators has improved.

"We want the radios reinstated, not just for ourselves but they are beneficial to the police for cracking down on crime," he said.

"We have had incidents of groups of youths throwing stones at windows.

"The radios would help us to inform the police where these groups are."

He raised his concerns at a community meeting staged by Lancashire Police Authority at Burnley Town Hall.

Chief Inspector Chris Bithell said police were looking at bringing an improved system into place.

"The radios have been taken out so we can assess how effective they have been.

"It's being reviewed and will be discussed at the next taxi licensing committee."

Jason Falliaze, chairman of Burnley Private Hire Association, said: "The problem with the pilot system was the police only had one radio which had to be taken out of the patrol car to be charged-up. With the new system the police will have a few radios."