SECRET video cameras are to be installed in some Bury taxis as part of bid to tackle the number of attacks on drivers.

The safety move coincides with an announcement that Bury is to help spearhead research into racial attacks on cabbies.

Bury was selected because of the measures adopted in the wake of the murder of taxi driver Tariq Javed in November 2000.

The separate pilot scheme to fix hidden video surveillance equipment will provide enhanced security for a number of taxi drivers.

Bury Racial Equality Council (BREC) and Bury Council, in conjunction with lock company Chubb, are behind the initiative to fit around 10 taxis with a secret video camera, sound recorder and tracking equipment.

Drivers can activate the camera when they feel threatened and a live link established with Chubb will alert police.

London-based Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) chose Bury as one of three towns nationwide to take part in its vital research work.

Two CRE representatives visited the town on Wednesday (March 27) and met police, local authority and Bury Racial Equality Council (BREC) officials.

BREC director Mr Khalid Hussain explained: "The reason why the CRE came up was because they'd heard of the excellent work we had all done with local taxi drivers.

"The CRE is carrying out a general study on racial harassment and attacks on taxi drivers. They came here to basically learn what has been done in Bury and its relevance to the rest of the country."

Since Mr Javed's death, the racial equality organisation, police and local authority have worked together with the newly-formed Independent Hackney Association to minimise the threat of attacks.

Mr Hussain added: "When we have our community cohesion officer in place, we will be launching a racial incident diary card to be given out to all all drivers."

These cards will record incidents of verbal and physical abuse and criminal damage and whether these were racially motivated.

"When we get these cards back, the details will be collated to provide a statistical report for the police," disclosed Mr Hussain.

"The baseline data will tell us the extent of racial harassment and attacks on taxi drivers."

During Wednesday's visit, Helen Elliot and Shiromi Pinto of the CRE met members of Mr Javed's family, Bury police divisional commander Chief Superintendent Phil Hollowood and Bury Council deputy leader Councillor Derek Boden.

Mr Hussain went on: "Basically, the CRE want to know how other towns can learn from Bury's example."