THE number of assaults on Redditch taxi drivers has fallen by 80 per cent following the installation of CCTV cameras in a number of vehicles.
Redditch police joined forces with drivers and Redditch Council to launch the CCTV project in September to stamp out racial abuse and assaults on cabbies.
The year-long pilot was awarded several thousand pounds from the Government's Safer Communities Initiative.
Sgt Tim Williams, of Redditch police, said: "I can only presume the message has got around there are cameras in some taxis and people are aware they could be caught if they commit an offence.
"I'm also hoping the cameras will reassure the law-abiding members of public who need to use the taxi service in Redditch.
"Twelve taxis now have cameras on board and we'll be assessing how effective they have been at the end of the first year. If successful, we'll look at how we can develop it."
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