Text messages are the latest weapon in the fight to keep Oxford women safe from rogue cab drivers.

Private hire company 001 Taxis has launched a new booking reservation system called Text-a-Taxi as part of a major safety drive to cut sexual assaults on customers.

The St Aldates-based company is the first in Oxfordshire to introduce the scheme and it follows police warnings about women falling prey to bogus cabbies.

Passengers are sent text messages that their cab is waiting and also details of the vehicle's make, model, colour and registration number so they can spot it.

Mark Green, 001's managing director, launched the service because he had heard so many horror stories about women being attacked.

He said: "There has been a lot of stuff about safety in taxis lately which is why we bought it in.

"It is aimed at women as they are the ones who have the problem.

"We have trouble with touts waiting outside nightclubs to pick people up."

He said 150 people had already signed up in a month to use the service, which will even text you back to confirm the booking.

Mr Green said: "You can't get any safer than that. We haven't had any glitches with the system and it is going really well."

The service is free, apart from the cost of a text.

Police, the city council and student welfare officers back the new scheme.

Rachael Leat, deputy president and welfare and education officer for Oxford Brookes University student union, said: "This will ensure that all students feel safe and secure in the knowledge they are getting a safe ride home."

Last week Det Insp Cess Agger, of Oxford CID, warned women about several attacks on women by men posing as cabbbies.

She said: "It sounds brilliant I'd use it. Anything that gives people the security that the car they are about to get into is actually driven by who they think it is, and is a registered taxi, is superb."

She said she had dealt with three "serious" incidents concerning rogue unlicensed cabbies. Two men are now awaiting trial.

She added: "Hopefully, if it broadens out to other firms it will be great news for everyone."

Susan Brown, Oxford city council's executive member for crime and community safety, said it was an excellent idea. She said: "Anything which improves the safety of people getting into taxis and getting home at night has to be welcomed and I applaud the initiative."

Last week's warning campaign was introduced in conjunction with city taxi associations after recent incidents where women were tricked.

In March, a 24-year-old woman left the Zodiac club in Cowley Road and got into a car she believed was a taxi.

The driver took her to a country lane near Horspath and made lewd comments before letting her go unharmed.

Last October, a woman was found wandering late at night nine miles from Izi Bar in Witney where she had been drinking.

For details visit website www.TextaTaxi.net or 001taxis.com.