TAXI drivers in Bury have become the first in the country to be issued with personal attack alarms by police.

And yesterday's move, in the wake of the death of cabbie Tariq Javed, comes as dozens of drivers have quit because of fears surrounding their safety.

Bury police have given local taxi companies 300 attack alarms which will be distributed to drivers deemed most vulnerable to the threat of danger.

The gesture follows a series of meetings between police and representatives of the taxi trade and Bury Council over measures for increased driver security.

Superintendent Steve Westcott said: "While we hope these alarms never have to be used, we recognise that taxi drivers do a difficult and sometimes dangerous job.

"The donation of these alarms underlines our commitment to support taxi drivers and work with them and the licensing authorities to make Bury a safer place for taxi drivers and passengers alike."

Mr Naz Khan, owner of Bury-based Peel cars where Mr Javed worked, said about the alarms: "This is something which we welcome.

"If passengers know drivers have these personal attack alarms, then they will think twice about doing anything which poses a threat to them." He added: " "A lot of taxi companies in Bury are concerned about safety.

"Six of my own drivers have quit following the murder."

Mr Khan issued a thank-you to everyone in the town who had sent messages of support and sympathy to his company following Mr Javed's death.

The security boost has also been welcomed by Mr Bryan Roland, general secretary of the UK-wide National Private Hire Association based in Bury. He said: "This is brilliant. It's the first time in the country such a thing has happened and I hope police forces and councils elsewhere in the UK follow suit.

"It's a good initiative."

Supt Westcott added: "Nobody simply going about their daily business should have to pay the terrible price Mr Javed paid."

Up to 10,000 mourners are expected to the funeral of Mr Javed on Sunday.

His family and police chiefs have appealed for calm before, during and after the service to be held at the Market Street athletics track.

The bulk of the mourners will be taxi drivers who will travel en masse from Bolton, Blackburn, Burnley and Manchester for the open air funeral which starts at 12.15pm.

Later, Mr Javed will be buried at Bury Cemetery and simultaneous services will be held at Bury's Noor-Ul-Islam and Islamic Centre mosques.

Police said certain areas of the town will be cordoned off on Sunday. Officers and stewards will direct mourners to designated parking areas.

Supt Steve Westcott said: "I would urge that as many people as possible going to the funeral travel together to reduce the number of cars coming into Bury." An inquest into Mr Javed's death has been opened and adjourned.

ONE of the two men charged with the murder of Mr Javed, has appeared before magistrates in the town for a second time.

The Bench was told that 21 year old Mark Baker from Hazel Avenue, Bury, is accused with Jason Power, 29, of no fixed abode, of murdering the father of four on November 11.

The case against Baker was adjourned for one week towards committal proceedings at the Crown Court which are scheduled for early in the New Year. Bail was refused.