SECURITY cameras are being installed in a city's taxis in an attempt to make drivers feel safer.

The cameras are being put into cabs in Sunderland for a six-month trial period following a number of attacks on taxi drivers.

The sophisticated cameras will not only store pictures of passengers as they step into a vehicle, but enable the driver to transmit live pictures and audio from the vehicle to a 24- hour monitoring centre, should the need arise.

At the same time, the system's global satellite tracking will enable a vehicle's precise location to be pinpointed and speedily passed on to the police if required.

The pilot project has been organised by Sunderland City Council, working in partnership with Northumbria Police and the taxi trade, with the assistance of Home Office funding provided through the City's Community Safety Partnership.

Cameras will initially be installed in a number of hackney carriages as part of a pilot scheme, which is due to be introduced today.

Norma Johnston, the council's assistant head of environmental services, said: "Community safety is a top priority for the city council.

"We have been working with the taxi trade and Northumbria Police for some time to put this scheme together."

Chief Inspector Steve Hopkirk, of Sunderland Area Command, said: "Images captured on CCTV are one of the best forms of evidence when criminal cases are presented before the courts.

"This is an excellent idea by all the partners involved and will no doubt make taxi drivers and their passengers feel safer going about their day- to-day business.