...TERROR TIMES
PRESTON TAXI DRIVERS FEAR FOR THEIR LIVES AFTER SERIES OF ATTACKS
Preston taxi drivers say they fear for their safety after a spate of attacks on their cars. The attacks, which are con- centrated around New Hall Lane and Blackpool Road, involve youths throw- ing objects at cabs. A recent incident near Farringdon Park saw an object pierce a taxi door, miss- ing the window by centimetres, while the driver had his young daughter and sister in the car. However the city’s cab- bies say the attacks go back a number of years. One ex-driver, Khalid Nakhuda, who is now manager of Ashton Allied Taxis, said he has called police over 40 times in the past three years for similar inci- dents. He told Blog Preston: “These kids throwing objects could kill some- body – they don’t realise the severity of what they’re doing. Nothing ever gets done by the police so I don’t bother ringing anymore. Drivers are at the end of their tether, especially with business being so bad because of Covid-19. “They are giving up hope and feel the only time something will be done is when somebody gets killed.” Khalid has also been a victim of such an attack, when a brick was thrown at his car seven years ago. “The noise and shock caused me to veer on to the opposite side of the road, and I almost crashed into an oncoming vehicle. I could have been killed. “The older taxi drivers have given up and retired. It’s not a safe job anymore.” Khalid says he’s disappointed with the lack of support from police and Preston City Council. “Taxi drivers are third class citizens; we don’t count. At the start of the pandemic, the council in
Blackburn paid for protective screens to be installed in taxis. I suggested it to Preston City Council and they said they weren’t interested. “The Council aren’t doing anything for us, they just take our money. There should be an initiative to protect us.” Following the Farringdon Park incident, one of Khalid’s fellow taxi drivers peti- tioned the Council to remove stickers and plates from PHVs for the safety of both drivers and passenger. The petition claims such livery is unnecessary as customers telephone or use an app to book a vehicle and have all its details in advance. It sug- gests displaying a small badge in the rear window, as in London. Although the petition was rejected, the Council say they are concerned about driver safety. Cllr Peter Moss, Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for planning and reg- ulation, said: “The council’s policy on e-petitions does not allow those relat- ing to planning or licensing issues, which is why this particular one was rejected. However, drivers’ concerns are taken seriously and the issues
raised are being looked into. “No-one should have to endure abuse or attacks while trying to do their job, which is why we encourage drivers to report all incidents to the Police. Speaking about the incident near Far- ringdon Park, a spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: “We received a report of vehicle damage on New Hall Lane, Preston. A group of youths are reported to have been throwing objects at passing cars at around 6pm on 12 November. Enquiries are ongo- ing.” In the meantime the city’s taxi drivers will continue to drive in fear. Khalid said: “It’s only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or killed, but why wait until it happens?”
WOLVERHAMPTON DRIVER IN KNIFE ROW
A fare-dodging taxi passenger pulled out a knife and battered the driver after travelling 15 miles between Wolver- hampton and Erdington. According to BirminghamLive, the cab driver picked up the man from Wolver- hampton just after 10am on Saturday, November 21. But when the passenger arrived at his destination - Faulkners Farm Drive in Erdington - he refused to pay the fare and instead produced a knife. The cabbie suffered a head injury and was then punched and kicked. The passenger escaped and West Mid- lands Police is now attempting to trace the offender.
T HE CL E A N E R , S A F ER WAY TO TR A V E L
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DECEMBER 2020 93
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