Taxi marshals for Birmingham

Trained 'taxi marshalls' are to hit the streets of Birmingham in a bid to alleviate late night disorder.

As part of plans to come out of a recent meeting between the council and licensees on Broad Street, new 'super' taxi ranks are to be implemented with the marshals who will control crowds and find them cars.

During the meeting the licensees also agreed to re-launch a Pubwatch scheme on Broad Street and will look forward to an increased police presence with crackdowns to ensure that the troublemakers are being removed from the area.

Those attending the meeting were also given the results of a recent Broad Street survey, which revealed that 80 per cent of those interviewed considered Broad Street was either as safe or safer than other cities.

Peter Goodman, from West Midlands Police, chief superintendent said: "For the first time in four years the level of violent crime on Broad St has fallen. I am confident that this is because of the extra work generated by the partnership and the willingness of everybody to work together to make a difference."