CABBIES are calling for CCTV in taxis after a driver was robbed in Bacup.

Shahid Mahmood, who works for Royal Taxis in Waterfoot, was punched and kicked in an unprovoked attack at 4.15am on Saturday.

He was pulling up in the Rossendale Crescent area to drop four passengers off when he was attacked from behind.

One of the yobs grabbed hold of Mr Mahmood's head while was driving and tried to pull him backwards.

As he stopped the car, one of the passengers opened his front door and grabbed £40 cash from him.

He said: "They should get cameras in all the taxis. If this has happened to me it could happen to anyone.

"One lad started attacking me for no reason. I'd never even seen him before and he punched me from the back of my head. I think he was drunk.

"Then another lad joined in, but one was telling them to just let me drive. One of them smashed my window and damaged the car."

Glen Bulcock, chairman of Rossendale Taxi Association, said: "We are appalled by what has happened and we hope that the police will take positive action in stopping other incidents like this."