DONCASTER taxi drivers are planning to introduce closed circuit television in their vehicles for the first time because of concerns for drivers' safety.
Doncaster Hackney Carriage Drivers Association has revealed 30 vehicles would initially have the video equipment fitted as part of a pilot scheme.
It is hoped the pilot scheme will be extended if it is successful.
Talks over funding for the scheme have already been held with New Deal for Communities and a final decision is expected soon.
The association's spokesman Jarnel Singh says assaults on taxi drivers are happening every week, with abuse and damage to taxis also an issue.
Drivers are hoping the introduction of cameras will stem the problem.
A similar police-backed scheme has already been run in Sheffield.
Mr Singh said: "Police have taken this on board and this will be the first time cameras have been used in Doncaster. We think it will make a great deal of difference to the drivers' quality of life.
"You can be abused on a regular basis, once or twice a week, and it's time something was done. We think the police have made the right move. This is something that is already happening in other parts of the country.
"There were three drivers assaulted in Doncaster last week, and two the week before, and that's before you even talk about the verbal abuse."
He added other problems facing taxi drivers include false allegation by passengers, an issue which cameras are also expected to address.
Drivers are expecting there to be a camera in the front and back sections of the vehicles.
There are currently around 300 licensed black cabs in Doncaster, and the association is also raising concerns about the number of spaces available at ranks, which they say currently stands at 20.
Police confirmed they were in discussions about the scheme to put cameras into the borough's taxis.
Communications officer Lindsay Rust said: "It is hoped that this will prevent any issues taxi drivers may encounter and will assist the police in identifying and dealing with those individuals who may have committed offences."
Steve Szostak, Doncaster New Deal for Communities chief executive, said the organisation was excited about the plans.
He said: "Considering most of the taxi businesses in the town are in the NDC area we are keen to work with them.
Safety is a priority for the travelling public and if given the go ahead this is yet another innovative way of reducing crime across the area. My board of directors will be considering the proposal later this month."
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FeaturesMore Rotherham newsMore Doncaster newsMore Barnsley newsCheck out the very latest on South Yorkshire's roads - including live traffic cameras on Sheffield's commuter routes - with our Traffic sectionLatest sport. The full article contains 472 words and appears in Doncaster Star newspaper.
