Taxi drivers troubled by concerns about their safety are being given clearer guidance on how to report crime to police.

Cabbies in Eastbourne have been losing money making lengthy statements at police stations about crimes against them.

But now a crime pack has been devised by Sussex Police to enable drivers themselves to fill out police statements in their own time.

Chief Inspector Martin Stevens, Eastbourne Borough commander, said: "This is a common sense approach to dealing with crime against taxi drivers.

"We're providing them with the means to report crime where there are clear avenues of investigation, which my staff will then pick-up.

"The aim is to stifle the ability of criminals to travel around the town and commit other crimes.

"And importantly it provides greater reassurance to taxi drivers who have raised concerns about their safety and the level of police interest in such crimes."

The scheme has been backed by the Eastbourne Crime Reduction Partnership (ECRP) which has announced further reassurance to cabbies worried about crime.

It will provide a cash grant of about 20 per cent of the cost to taxi drivers who want to install CCTV cameras in their vehicles.

ECRP chairman Neil Fuller said: "Not only does that reassure drivers but it also will help to reassure the travelling public that taking a taxi ride in Eastbourne is a safe option.

"These initiatives really are great news for the town and they continue to build on many other crime reduction initiatives introduced in the past 12 months by the ECRP."

Taxi companies and drivers are now using the self-reporting packs and applying for the CCTV grants. Both schemes are part of a wider campaign to reduce violence in Eastbourne.

The ECRP violent crime strategy has already introduced drug and weapon amnesty boxes in pubs and clubs across the resort.

And hand-held metal detectors have also been given to clubs and police officers to scan people for weapons and drug wraps.

Mr Fuller said: "The partnership is working hard to build confidence and to reassure people that Eastbourne is a safe place in which to live, work and visit."

For more information about the ECRP, visit its web site at www.eastbourne.gov.uk/crime