Council experts to help taxi drivers find safety measures

12.00.00am GMT Wed 17th Jan 2007

Councillor Mark Harris, deputy leader of Leeds City Council and executive board member with responsibility for licensing taxi's, has reaffirmed the council's commitment to helping Leeds' taxi and private-hire drivers find a solution to their recent safety issues.

Speaking out in light of a number of vicious attacks in East Leeds, Councillor Harris has pledged that council experts will investigate external funding streams, in order to help the city's cabbies find money for new safety measures.

Councillor Mark Harris said, "The recent attacks in East Leeds are simply unacceptable and the sympathy of the people of Leeds goes out to those taxi drivers who had to suffer these terrible ordeals. Leeds City Council is 100% behind our taxi drivers and our officers will look at a number of non-council funding sources for new safety measures."

Councillor Javaid Akhtar (Lib Dem, Gipton & Harehills) added "Following last night's meeting, many taxi drivers expressed a desire for CCTV to be installed in their cabs. I am delighted that the council has committed its expertise to help find the means of making this idea a reality."