URGENT talks are set to to take place between taxi drivers, the council and police after cabbies blockaded one of Blackburn’s main routes.

Taxi drivers brought traffic to a standstill on Accrington Road on Friday night amid concerns over stone-throwing youths.

Drivers say cabs have been targetted across Intack, Mill Hill and Highercroft have suffered damage in recent days.

Police have acknowledged there has been a spike in anti-social behaviour, which may have been associated with Bonfire Night, and pledged to work with the licensed trade and the local authority to address the issue.

Ex-councillor and taxi driver Muntazir Patel said: “Cabbies were being attacked and we called the police but they never responded. We waited an hour.

“Then cabbies blocked the road. I tried to stop them but they were frustrated at the lack of action and their complaints not being taken seriously.

“This has being going for a while. Cabbies’ cars are being hit by stones and we just want our complaints taken more seriously.”

The stand-off, at the junction of Accrington Road, Fecitt Brow, Audley Range and Carluke Street, is understood to have been resolved after 15 minutes.

Police have since visited a number of taxi operators to hear their concerns.

Another driver added: “Police assured the drivers’ security and protection.

“They agreed with the drivers on the issues and they will be deploying more patrols in the trouble areas.”

Insp Martin Holt, of Blackburn Police, said: “We are aware that this has been an issue and there has been a spike in youth anti-social behaviour and stone-throwing incidents recently.

“This may have been connected with Bonfire Night and we have had a plan in place to deal with that.

“On the night we spoke with drivers and listened to their concerns and discussed what we could do to address the issue going forward.

“We are going to stage multi-agency discussions on Monday with the taxi companies and the council to discuss the ongoing problem.”

Cllr Parvais Akhtar, chairman of the borough's licensing committee, said he had spoken with taxi drivers and he would bring with council officers and the police to address the situation.

"This is not the first time this has happened and it is very dangerous for drivers," he added.

Earlier this year a dispersal order was put in place for Darwen town centre, over similar concerns with anti-social youths.

And last year taxi driver in Brierfield reported problems with missiles being hurled at their cabs on a regular basis.