Brighton and Hove's taxi and bus drivers are joining the fight against crime.

Vehicles are being equipped with radios to alert police and each other if trouble breaks out anywhere in Brighton and Hove.

Taxi firms have agreed to take anyone falling victim to crime and needing assistance to the police station free of charge.

The scheme is an extension of Night Safe, a radio network between night-time venues in the city launched earlier this year by Jean Smith, the city's violent crime reduction officer, and run by the Business Crime Reduction Partnership.

Members receive a radio linking them to the CCTV operations room at Brighton police station and have access to photographs of known offenders.

Taxi firms will have radios in their control rooms to enable quick contact with all members of the scheme and police.

Andy Cheeseman, of Brighton and Hove City Cabs, said: "Safety of our taxi drivers and members of the public is paramount.

"If anyone feels afraid they can jump into a taxi and we will be happy to take them to the police station.

"Any initiative which contributes to reducing crime is fully supported by the taxi companies and unions."

Miss Smith said: "Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company and the city's taxi companies will add further momentum to measures already in place.

"The message is getting stronger - come to Brighton and Hove and enjoy our fabulous night life but come to cause trouble and you will be banned from clubs, pubs and eating places.

"To top it all you will have to walk home, hungry and thirsty."

Miss Smith warned persistent offenders could be made the subject of antisocial behaviour orders which would ban them from all the city's night-life venues.

Monday November 17, 2003