BOROUGH taxi drivers are playing their part in an attempt to stamp out the evil of child sexual exploitation by creating their own video that highlights the first signs of danger.

The video, entitled Deceived, attempts to educate drivers and make them aware if they are carrying any vulnerable passengers and to encourage them to report any possible crime.

Shaz Saleem, chairman of Dudley Private Hire and Taxi Association, wrote, produced and directed the piece with the help of fellow drivers.

It is the second in a series of videos designed as part of the association's 'Be Safe Campaign', the first of which was created to make customers aware of the difference between a private hire car and a Hackney cab.

Mr Saleem said: "Taxi drivers have a very important role to play. Very often taxis are used to transport vulnerable people to places where they are exploited.

"The video is designed to make drivers aware and spot signs such as strange behaviour, bruising to the victims and both the picking up and dropping off at places which the driver may suspect is unsuitable for a young person."

Music for the video was created by Waqas Rizwan, who works for Falcon Taxis of Stourbridge, while the driver was played by Amran Hussain, of Express Taxis, Halesowen.

Mr Saleem added: "This is very important to the association which has over 600 members as we signed a pledge to help tackle crime.

"The association is committed to ensuring the safety of our customers and we will not shy away from our role."

Viewed more than 2,000 times within a week of its release, the video has already been hailed a huge success - with other taxi licensing authorities wanting to add it as part of their training.

Go to www.facebook.com/DPHTA/videos/ for more educational video messages from the taxi association.