TAXI drivers have condemned the decision to close police station doors at 8pm and said they fear for their safety.

Opening times for police stations across Eastern Division, including Accrington, were affected after it was decided that it was no longer cost effective to remain open for 24 hours a day.

But cabbies now fear for their safety if passengers become aggressive or cause trouble while travelling in their vehicles.

Mohammed Arif, chairman of Hyndburn Taxi Cab Association, said: "We are not happy with this and it is especially worrying at night during the weekends.

"If the police station is open it makes the drivers feel safer.

"Previously if there was any trouble they knew they could just drive there and report the problem but now they are really angry - especially as the Christmas holidays are approaching when there is more trouble from drinkers.

"At a meeting with the regeneration board last month it came up that it was closing and I said then that it was wrong but was told it will be reviewed in six months.

"Many of the drivers are now nervous about working at night and although it is quiet during the week they should seriously look at opening it at the weekend - not just for the taxi drivers but generally for members of the public."

Mr Arif added that at least four visits were made every weekend night to the station, off Manchester Road, by drivers concerned by unruly behaviour.

It included passengers refusing to pay their fare, drivers being assaulted, vandals smashing the taxi windows and being generally abusive. On certain occasions he knew of up to 20 visits being made in one night.

An emergency telephone line is situated outside the stations where the inquiry desks close early, which also include Great Harwood, Clitheroe and Darwen, so that contact can be made with officers on duty.

But drivers have criticised this as a highly impractical alternative.

Inspector Phil Cottam defended the decision as the best usage of police officers' time.

He said: "The best use of an officer's time is if they are out patrolling the streets of Accrington and preventing crime from happening rather than waiting in the office for something to happen and then dealing with it.

"I appreciate that people will have some concerns about the station doors being closed but there are still police officers working who can be contacted.

"And if somebody is in distress or danger because of an emergency situation they will be let into the police station."

Mr Cottam stressed that security measures were in place and that he had spoken to Mr Arif about the perceived problem.

He said: "If a taxi driver needs assistance they can let their officer know via their radio what the problem is and where they are.

"The office can then notify the police station and an officer could either go to them or arrange to be outside the station."

He also added that a survey, carried out over the last few years, revealed that only two people per night were actually attending the station after 8pm and that this was usually to produce documents or ask for directions.