SPY cameras have been installed in Bury taxis in a bid to stop drivers being attacked and robbed.

Ten public and private hire cars now boast secret surveillance equipment in case of emergencies.

The move, which is being piloted for 12 months, follows the murder of taxi driver Tariq Javed in November 2000 and other reported assaults.

Backers of the equipment hope that it will deter offenders. If deterrence fails, the system will collect evidence that can be used in prosecutions.

If a driver feels threatened by passengers, he can press a button to record images and sound. A monitoring station, using satellite technology, will inform the police of the cab's precise location.

Bury Council and the police have each put in £5,000 to buy the equipment in a pilot project run with Chubb Cabwatch. At the end of the trial period, drivers or firms would decide whether to buy the cameras and pay monitoring fees to Chubb.

Councillor Pam Walker, public protection spokesman, said: "Taxi drivers are often victims of crime and serious violence: we want that brought to a stop.

"This pilot project will give us and drivers the opportunity to evaluate how effective the cameras are. Should other drivers or owners decide to install similar systems, they will get the full backing of the local authority. The more units there are, the greater the deterrent."

Chief Superintendent Phil Hollowood, co-chairman of Bury Community Safety Partnership, added: "This system will help us to help the drivers and work as a deterrent to people thinking of harming drivers or their cars."