'Spy' cameras could be installed in Keighley's taxis .

If the CCTV pilot plan works, the scheme, already hugely successful on local buses, could be extended to other taxis.

It has also been revealed that the cameras could also be trialled on Airedale Line trains.

Keighley Town Council's transport watch committee is looking at installing a camera in a taxi following the success of closed circuit television schemes across the town.

Town councillor Graham Mitchell, chairman of the transport watch committee, said: "It is in its early days, but it is a very interesting idea and could be a very promising development. If we are successful it could be a first in the area."

Last week cameras at a notorious car-crime hotspot -- in Low Mill Lane and at Keighley Railway Station car park -- were turned on.

Other cameras have been previously installed in Keighley & District Travel buses, at Keighley Bus Station and at other sites in the town centre.

Cllr Mitchell announced the proposal at last week's Keighley Town Council meeting, saying the success of CCTV had made this a top project.

He said: "Following the success of the cameras in buses and in the town centre, Arriva Trains Northern may be considering putting cameras in trains.

"The transport watch committee is also looking at a pilot scheme to put up CCTV in a taxi."

Cllr Mitchell explained that the committee was working with Parvaz Niak, owner of Oxford Taxis, Oakworth Road.

He said: "We are going to look at the feasibility and possibility of fitting CCTV in a taxi to run a pilot scheme.

"We have got to find a manufacturer appropriate for taxis -- which do exist -- and secondly we have got to find some funding."

Cllr Mitchell added: "We have done this because CCTV in buses is now a totally accepted part of life and has been very successful for the safety of drivers and safety of passengers.

"Arriva Trains Northern is also examining the possibility on the Airedale Line."

Mr Niak was delighted to be working on the proposal.

He said: "It seems like a very good idea. CCTV would be one of the ways forward for taxis, especially for the safety of passengers and especially women.

"Hopefully, if some funding can be found from some source we can get this proposal running. It would be a welcome addition to taxi transport."

A spokesman for The National Taxi Association said: "This is something which is beginning to happen nationwide.

"The idea is for driver safety and passenger safety to be improved.

"If it does not prevent incidents it might help to seal a conviction."

Tim Calow, chairman of the Aire Valley Rail Users Group, was delighted Arriva was also considering a trial period.

He said: "It is something we have been pressing for for quite some time.

"The new trains are super to travel in and are an enormous improvement, but we have had problems with petty vandalism and unruly behaviour."

He said problems included damage to windows and toilets, fire extinguishers had been discharged and staff were wary of walking along the train on some late evening services.

Mr Calow added: "We would see the use of CCTV as an improvement.

"I know this has been mooted before but there have been concerns about the cost. If it is something that can be advanced then we would be delighted."