Taxis in Newcastle could be branded in the colours of the city's football team in a bid to improve safety.
The city council is expected to sign off the new black and white of Newcastle United to tackle unlicensed drivers preying on vulnerable people.
The move was taken amid concerns of criminals posing as taxi drivers to target victims, particularly lone women.
The council said it was aware of several recent police investigations into sexual assault allegations relating to unlicensed vehicles.
However, a report showed almost all the taxi drivers were against the proposal because of concerns over costs.
Each of the 597 licensed hackney carriage drivers in Newcastle will be given £100 to fit a white wrap around their bonnet so that they have a 'unique branding that is readily identifiable', the council said.
Private operators will also have to display improved information including a red council crest on the front doors and a taxi sign on the roof.
Labour's Paula Maines, cabinet member responsible for taxi licensing, said: 'This will assure passengers that the vehicle and the driver have passed our stringent vetting processes and they will be collected and transported to their destination safely.
'It will also help protect people from unlicensed taxi drivers who illegally ply for trade, particularly at night when people are out enjoying themselves.'
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