TAXI drivers have been installing a new weapon against violence in their cabs - digital cameras.

Southampton City Council offered cabbies a £200 discount on the cameras in a bid to get more drivers to invest in the equipment.

The cameras begin recording automatically when the meter is switched on.

A panic button is also installed that improves the quality of the picture to obtain better evidence of any incident.

The cameras have improved the safety of drivers in other parts of the country and have been used as evidence in court.