Basildon cabbies today demanded a clampdown on yobs who throw bricks at passing traffic.

Nine taxis have been hit by bricks and stones in the last six weeks - two in the past two days - thrown by youths from behind bushes next to busy roads.

Basildon Hackney Carriage Association has decided enough is enough and called on the police and Basildon Council to stop the thugs before someone is badly hurt or worse.

Chris Brockton, who has been a taxi driver in Basildon for 32 years, said: "These are not mischievous kids who don't know what they are doing.

"They know exactly what they are doing. They want to cause an accident.

"Someone is going to be killed if the police don't do more to crack down on it. It's a disaster waiting to happen."

Dave Neville, secretary of Basildon Hackney Carriage Association, said: "They hide behind bushes and lob bricks at us.

"They have smashed our windscreens and dented our doors.

"Luckily no one has been seriously injured so far, but next time we might not be so lucky. It's unbelievable what is going on and we've had enough."

Cabbies have identified three hotspots:

* Clayhill Road, by the junction with Sunnedon.

* Clayhill Road, opposite Puck Lane.

* Nethermayne, opposite the Knares.

The cabbies' complaints come after the Echo reported last week that a man's car was hit by a brick, in Nethermayne, as he was driving his pregnant wife to Basildon Hospital.

Basildon Council leader Malcolm Buckley said: "In the past we had a problem with bricks being thrown at buses and it's certainly a worry if cars and taxis are now being attacked.

"We may be able to look at whether the landscaping of those areas can be improved. Perhaps the bushes could be moved or cut back."