TAXIS may soon be fitted with CCTV cameras to stop attacks on drivers.

Council chiefs in Blackburn are considering introducing the high-tech scheme which operates in about three other areas of the UK and in Australia.

It is part of a drive by Blackburn with Darwen bosses, police and taxi organisations to improve safety following a spate of attacks and robberies.

Another driver was robbed of his takings again this week, leading to further calls for a tighten up on security.

The cost of installing equipment in cars is expected to be around £200 to £500 per cab.

The council will be contacting other local authorities to see how successful their projects have been.

Denise Johnson, the council's environmental health manager, said: "It is still in the preliminary stages at the moment but we are very keen on the CCTV idea. We do realise that taxi drivers are in a vulnerable position and the feed back from the trade organisations so far has been good."

The National Private Hire Association said that in the last eight years 23 taxi and private hire drivers have been murdered in the UK, including four in the Lancashire and Greater Manchester area.

Similar taxi CCTV schemes already operate in Southampton, Brighton, Scotland and in Australia.

Images can either be recorded and stored on disc inside the vehicle or monitored from a central point.

Mohammed Khan, chairman of the Blackburn with Darwen Private Hire Association said: "Driver safety is one of the biggest issues for us at the moment. Obviously it is something that is worrying us all.

"We would like to see faster response times from the police when an incident does happen."

Director of Blackburn with Darwen's Hackney Association, Moosa Karolia added: "I had an incident myself just last weekend where a customer smashed the door and window. "Basically if CCTV could help to catch the people responsible, and it is only a small minority of customers who cause the problems, it is going to be an advantage to drivers."

Brian Roland, general secretary of the National Private Hire Association said: "Anything which acts as a deterrent has to be vital to drivers. In the last 18 months we have seen a major acceleration in attacks on taxi drivers.

"Also the number of drivers who are prepared to work at night has dramatically reduced."

On Wednesday, private hire driver Liaquat Ali from Red Rose Taxis in Blackburn was attacked and robbed of £30 after being stopped by a gang of seven youths who threw a stone at his car on Manxman Road at 9.15pm.

He said: "I got out of the car and they started to kick the side door.

"I tried to stop them and one of them grabbed my jacket and tried to punch me.

"They took around £30 and got back into their car and drove off.

"I was shaken up but I wasn't seriously hurt. Still, something needs to be done."

Chief Insp Andy Pratt, of Blackburn police, said: "CCTV can be a very viable crime prevention tool, offering security for both the driver and the passengers. They take a lot of thinking about but they have had a very positive effect in other parts of the country. We are looking forward to making some progress on this one." Coun Jim Blackburn, chairman of the council's licensing committee said: "The council do recognise that taxi driver safety is an area of real concern.

"The council wrote to all taxi operators in December outlining how all parties could work together to tackle the difficulties that are occurring both in Blackburn and elsewhere in the region.

"The council have regular meetings with trade representatives and the police.

"We are keen for the trade and the council to work together to try and tackle any problems."