TRACKING devices and live CCTV cameras could be installed in taxis across Blackburn with Darwen in a bid to make the job safer for cabbies.

Council bosses are currently seeking external funding to launch the scheme, which cabbies claim could mean drivers start travelling into suburbs of Blackburn for the first time in more than a year.

Some taxis already have CCTV installed in their cabs in a bid to dissuade people from attacking them or vandalising their vehicles.

They were installed after a spate of attacks on cab drivers, who were robbed or beaten and had to watch their vehicles being ransacked.

At the time, the private hire drivers agreed certain areas of Blackburn -- including Mill Hill, scene of one incident where thugs rang up a taxi firm, ordered a cab to a dead end street, pounced on the driver and trashed his car -- would be out of bounds to them late at night.

In other areas of the North West, drivers have been killed by thugs.

Under the new scheme -- which is being trialled in Bolton at the moment -- a central control centre would be established which would monitor the movements of all taxis taking part in the scheme.

Each cab would have a camera installed, which takes a picture of every passenger as they get in. If any trouble starts, the driver presses a concealed button which kicks the camera into life.

It then beams back 'live' pictures to the control centre, where staff can call the police and pinpoint exactly where the driver is.

The cost of the pilot in Bolton is £25,000, and has been described as 'a success' by council chiefs there.

In Blackburn, it is hoped external funding -- possibly from a crime-reduction initiative grant scheme -- will cover some of the initial costs, with cab drivers paying an annual fee of around £500.

Coun Maureen Bateson, executive member for citizen's rights and consumer affairs, said: "This is a scheme we have been talking to the taxi drivers about for a while and it is progressing.

"Hopefully, the cost of taking part in the scheme can be offset for the drivers by reductions in their insurance premiums because they are taking part in the scheme."

Mohammed Narwan, from the Blackburn with Darwen Private Hire Association, said: "We are hoping we can get it off the ground with the council very soon.

"They are looking at ways of funding it and while it may seem to cost a lot, we think it will lead to a reduction in insurance premiums.

"We need to feel safe. If we know help will be on hand as soon as we need it then I think we will start going back into the areas many of us won't use at the moment."