ONE of Blackburn's biggest housing estates has become a no-go zone for taxi drivers, after an attack which left a vehicle smashed up.

Higher Croft is the second area of Blackburn to be considered out-of-bounds by many taxi drivers.

Abdul Ghaffar, a 31-year-old father-of-five, said he was attacked by three men with a baseball bat after being called out to pick up a fare in Formby Close. His vehicle could be off the road for weeks as it is repaired -- leaving him to struggle to support his family. It is the second time in a year Abdul has been attacked.

Last year, a gang attacked him and wrecked his car in the Mill Hill area of town.

He said many taxi drivers still steer clear of Mill Hill at night and now the same is happening in Higher Croft.

He said: "We have to think about our safety and that means some areas will not get cabs at night because we don't know what will happen when we go there. I have been left with bruises all over me and no way of supporting my family. We are easy targets and we need to be careful."

Mr Ghaffar believes the attack shows just how vital a new CCTV tracking system being considered by Blackburn with Darwen Council is.

Council chiefs revealed last month that they are working with cab owners to launch a scheme which would see CCTV cameras fitted in vehicles. Each person using the cab would be pictured when they get in and the driver could activate the camera if they experienced problems.

The cost is expected to be £500 per car, per year -- which could probably be offset by reductions in insurance premiums.

Abdul added: "It would make us feel safer because people would know they would be caught on camera. I know the council are looking at the scheme and it would help us a lot."

Mohammed Nawaz Khan, from the borough's private hire association, said: "Drivers have to put their safety first at all times. If they are attacked, not only are they at risk but any damage leads to rises in insurance premiums."

A police spokesman said three men had been arrested in connection with the incident and further inquiries were continuing.