A WEARSIDE taxi firm is beefing up security in its cabs.
Station Taxis has installed a camera in one of its hackney carriages in a bid to deter fare dodgers and improve driver safety.
Sharon Morgan is the first driver in Station's 173-strong fleet to have a camera-monitored cab as part of a new scheme
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The 37-year-old, from Roker, has been with Station Taxis for 10 years.
She admits the fear of assault is always in the back of her mind and already takes steps to keep herself safe at work.
She said: "I don't work nights. During the day, as a hack driver, you can pick up anywhere, but I tend not to do that as much.
"If I was suspicious of anyone I would not put myself in that position.
"You do get a different reaction being a female driver.
"With most people who get in you just have to find common ground and put the customer at ease, then you are at ease.
"You do have it in the back of your mind, and there are some customers that make you think.
"At least now if I come into that situation I would have photographic evidence.
"The camera is a little bit of extra safety."
Sharon says most customers do not seem to mind becoming stars of the small screen.
"When people find out it is there they are fiddling with their hair or blowing kisses to the camera."
"It is the advertising board they notice more, as it looks like a digital photoframe.
"And people are always asking if it is a TV and can they watch Jeremy Kyle on it.
"A couple of people have said it is a good thing, because you don't know who is getting in your car."
Newcastle-based company iKabs has supplied the camera system, which is paid for through in-cab advertising on a small digital display.
Director Tony Brannon said: "I would like to thank the businesses that have supported our safety campaign and am delighted that Sharon feels safer.
"Hopefully iKabs will become a firm fixture in Sunderland taxis and we will have many more cabs with our systems in them in the coming year."
Station Taxis boss David Blyth said: "These days security is an important issue. It can be dangerous out there and it is a good deterrent."
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