COUNCILS should do more to protect taxi drivers, says a Darlington cabbie who has been repeatedly attacked.

Taxi driver Michael Shields is urging Darlington Borough Council to pay for the installation of security cameras in hackney carriages.

The 52-year-old has been attacked several times during his career as a driver, losing teeth in one particularly ferocious incident.

He believes rising income generated from rises in taxi licence fees should be put towards the better protection of drivers.

Mr Shields said: “Just recently I was attacked while in my taxi.

“It was like road rage, I was hit in the mouth by another driver and had my teeth knocked out.

“The council is always putting up its prices for licenses and fees but they don’t give much back.

“By rights they should put cameras in taxis for our safety as we get a lot of stick.

“There are regular problems with those who have had too much to drink – one drunk man hit me because I refused to take him.

“As drivers, we are isolated and attacks can be very worrying.

“Cameras would help to keep us safe.”

A proposed rise in taxi licence fees will see the renewal of a single driver licence and vehicle licence go from £425 to £480.

A spokeswoman for Darlington Borough Council said: “The rise in taxi licenses is comparable to regional and national increases as fees are reconfigured.

“In Darlington we have set our increases to cover our costs and will not be generating surplus revenue.

“We work closely with our drivers and would be happy to discuss any ideas with them on improving safety in their work.”