Cabbies plagued with crime and fare-dodging customers have fitted video surveillance equipment to their cars.

Driver Dave Hill designed the system, which has been installed on the dashboard of selected cabs of Associated Star Cars, based in Southchurch Avenue, Southend.

Mr Hill and other drivers came up with the scheme following a brainstorming session after he was cheated out of a hefty fare.

He said: "I had a £37 fare that did a runner and had no idea it was going to happen.

"There can also be violence, mainly on a Friday and Saturday night. One of the drivers has had her hand slashed with a knife by some girls."

Since the video equipment was fitted in selected cabs, the scheme has proved to be a hit with passengers. Mr Hill said: "There are a wide spectrum of people who think it is a good idea, from young to old.

"We just got fed up with the aggro and fare-dodgers, so me and a couple of other drivers came up with this idea."

The cabs fitted with the cameras carry warning stickers and have a video recorder in the boot.

Keeping watch - driver Jim Nolan with the cab camera

Picture: STEPHEN LLOYD

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