BUS services are less frequent and comprehensive than they were years ago.

This reduction in public transport has made the role of the taxi, either private hire or ‘black cab’, increasingly important.

Taxis are a vital part of every day life for many people who depend on being able to pick up the phone and call up a cab, knowing it will arrive and provide a safe ride to their destination.

Sadly life isn’t always so secure for the drivers.

There have been a number of recent incidents across East Lancashire where cabbies have been set upon and robbed by passengers.

In the latest early yesterday in driver Muzammal Hussain was called to a Blackburn address at 3am where two men with a dog threatened to kill him, repeatedly smashed a beer can over his head and eventually ran off with his takings.

Such thugs must be dealt with severely to deter others and give cabbies the security they deserve.

Drivers could also be equipped with panic buttons like those already fitted in many buses and the installation of small cameras would help to identify offenders.