TAXI drivers are being recruited to join the fight against crime - by becoming the eyes and ears of the forces of law and order.

Crimestoppers is launching its biggest initiative in the Yorkshire region, working in partnership with thousands of licensed private hire and taxi drivers.

Tens of thousands of cards and posters are being mailed out or hand-delivered to all the drivers and offices.

Crimestoppers is a national charity that helps identify, prevent, solve and reduce crime, allowing people with details of criminal activity to pass them on anonymously.

Now, with large numbers of unlicensed and unroadworthy cars being taken off the road, there is evidence that growing numbers of offenders are using taxis to travel to and from crime scenes, transporting stolen property, drugs or other items.

Crimestoppers regional co-ordinator Ian Froggett said: "Taxi drivers can be a mine of valuable information by virtue of being around 24/7. We want to make it easier for them to pass it on by ringing Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and remaining anonymous."

Chris Goss, chairman of the regional Crimestoppers board, said: "Taxi and private hire drivers provide a tremendous service to the public, working mainly in isolation and at times in other than the best of circumstances.

"We want to help them by dissuading the criminal element from embroiling them unwittingly into becoming involved with offenders."