A taxi boss is launching a private prosecution against an allegedly violent passenger after police declined to press charges.

Tony Turner, who owns Brighton's biggest cab company, running 180 cars, said he was forced to take legal action to protect his drivers.

He is pursuing a compensation claim through the civil courts against a man accused of smashing a security screen after refusing to pay a £6 fare.

Mr Turner conceded a claim would cost more than he might recoup but said it was a matter of principle.

The case is with his solicitors.

The 49-year-old boss, of Seven Dials-based Brighton and Hove Radio Cabs, said: "This sort of thing happens all the time and, in most cases, the police just don't want to know.

"It seems people can get away with anything because the law isn't prepared to act to protect us.

"That's why people like me, who can afford to, have got to take the law into our own hands to get justice and send the message this behaviour isn't acceptable."

The news comes a month after The Argus revealed Sussex Police officers were not investigating hundreds of non-priority crimes.

Sussex Police Chief Constable Ken Jones promised to change the force policy towards incidents not deemed serious, such as road rage and hit-and-runs.

The latest incident left driver Hiten Carsane badly shaken after the late-night incident.

He picked up the lone man in Old Steine, Brighton, in October last year.

When he dropped his passenger off in Elm Grove, Brighton, the man allegedly refused to pay the fare and flew into a rage when Mr Carsane locked the doors.

The man was said to put his fist through a £120 security screen as Mr Carsane, who is Asian, called for help.

Police officers arrived and arrested the man but he was later released without charge.

Mr Turner said: "Hiten thought the attack might be racially motivated and we don't know if it was but at the end of the day he didn't get paid and was very frightened.

"Police said they were taking no further action and if I wanted anything done I would have to take out a private prosecution."

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said the taxi passenger had received a caution from officers.