BOLTON West MP Ruth Kelly has welcomed backing from Home Office officials for Bolton Council's trial scheme to install closed circuit television cameras in taxis.

The scheme, funded by the local crime and disorder reduction partnership, will see cabs being tracked by police across Bolton, allowing officers to target specific vehicles or drivers under attack. Drivers can press a security button hidden in the front of the taxi.

Ms Kelly MP said: "Having already seen a demonstration of the CCTV in action, I am convinced this technology could play a significant part in reducing the number of assaults on taxi drivers.

"If this trial is successful, it could act as a protocol for other local authorities experiencing similar problems."

A monitoring station will also be able to listen in to activities in a cab with still photographs being continuously recorded and stored. The evidence would be admissible in court. The system has been installed in 10 taxis, both Hackney and private hire, across Bolton and trials are continuing.

And in a letter to Ms Kelly, Home Office Minister Bob Ainsworth said: "It may be that if this scheme proves an effective and economic way of dealing with a serious crime problem in Bolton, the word could be spread to other partnerships for possible future application."