TAXI drivers in Oxford are threatening to go on strike if plans for compulsory CCTV in every cab go ahead.

Some drivers said the £400 cost will hit them at a time when rising fuel costs are making it harder than ever to make a living.

And the Oxford Private Hire Drivers’ Association said strike action is a possibility.

But Oxford City Council, the licensing authority behind the CCTV plans, claimed the equipment would improve safety for drivers and passengers.

It said the plan was put together in consultation with taxi firms and the City of Oxford Licensed Taxi Association (Colta), which represents Hackney carriage drivers.

Ghafoor Khan, chairman of the private hire drivers association, said its surveys had revealed about 80 per cent of drivers were opposed to the cost of the system.

There are 112 black cabs and 528 private hire vehicles registered in the city.

Mr Khan said it would invade privacy and the council would use it as a cheap way of policing the rule that prevents private hire taxis from taking passengers that have not pre-booked.

He added: “It should not be mandatory. It should be for those who can afford it.”

Mr Khan said taxi fares in Oxford had remained the same despite diesel costs rising to £1.42 a litre.

“People are working 10 or 12 hours a day and taking home £40 after fuel,” he said.

“We will not get bullied into accepting everything they throw at us.”

Mr Khan said all private hire journey details, times, contacts for passengers and pick up and drop off points, had to be logged by operators and this allowed police to investigate any incidents.

Drivers opposing CCTV staged a protest outside Oxford Town Hall on Monday night, and Mr Khan said they were prepared to step up the action if the council did not rethink its policy.

He added: “On Friday and Saturday, demand for taxis is high. We won’t work, we won’t pick up fares.”

The CCTV issue has split opinion among city cabbies.

Private hire driver Richard Barlow, from Kidlington, said the investment was worth it for passenger and driver safety.

He added: “It is an excellent idea.

“I have been attacked three times.”

The move has also been backed by Colta.

Secretary Alan Woodward said: “I don’t understand the private hire drivers’ stand.”

If the scheme is approved, all new taxis would have to have CCTV from April 2012 next year, and existing cars would have to fit it by 2015.

Julian Alison, licensing team leader at the council, said: “CCTV is common in many public vehicles such as buses and trains, and has been introduced into taxis by other local authorities.

“We want to ensure that we promote the safety of the public and any initiatives that can assist in this objective are actively pursued.”