A TAXI spy camera scheme has netted its first criminal after a man was caught on CCTV running off without paying his cab fare.

Now, police and council bosses hope the cameras — which are hidden in the back of taxis — will make people think twice before abusing, attacking or stealing from drivers.

The Bolton News reported in February that cameras were due to be installed in some taxis in a bid to tackle hate crime, but the scheme will be officially launched in Victoria Square today.

Six taxis — two hackney carriages and four private hire cars—from Heaton Cars, Star Cars and Metro Cars now have the devices fitted inside.

They consist of a digital CCTV system with two cameras and a microphone, which are kept in two small domes in the back of the cab.

The system records both audio and video, which is then stored on a secure hard drive until needed.

The cameras cost about £1,000 each, and are being paid for by the Government in a oneyear pilot.

If the scheme is successful, it may be rolled out across Bolton.

The cameras paid off between 5.15pm and 5.30pm on July 5 when a man fled a taxi without paying the fare after being driven from Bolton train station to the Moses Gate area. Police are now examining the CCTV footage.

Ch Insp Shane O’Neill said: “The CCTV will not only provide vital reassurance to drivers but also enable officers to thoroughly investigate reported crimes.”

About six hate crimes are reported every week in Bolton, but only about a quarter result in prosecutions.

Many of the victims are taxi drivers, but police believe crimes go unreported because drivers do not want to spend time talking to police when they could be working.

Bolton Council’s executive member for licensing, Cllr Ismail Ibrahim, said: “We will be monitoring and evaluating the pilot to see what effect it’s had on the number of attacks on taxi drivers.”