PLATING POLICY PROBLEMS SWINDON CABBIES DISTRAUGHT AFTER
LOSING THOUSANDS DUE TO SPREE OF BREAK-INS
Dozens of cabbies in Swindon are distraught after months having their vehicles broken into. Drivers say the yellow taxi plates on their vehicles required by Swindon BC makes them targets. Over 100 drivers are part of a WhatsApp group in which a new break-in is flagged up every other day, which is costing them £1,000s in repairs and time off work. Some have put a notice on their window advising there is nothing of value left inside. Mungai Nijiriri said: “People walk up to the cars in broad daylight and break into them. Even when you go to
the supermarket,
someone’s broken into the taxi while you’re in the shop.
“They are so daring now because they know they’ll get away with it. “When customers book us on the app, they get all the information about our vehicle and can track where it is. We don’t need plates.” Suggested solutions include magnetic signs for the roof or a removable sticker to be displayed prominently on the windscreen. Muhammad Yasin is leading the effort to raise awareness of this crime spree as part of the Swindon Driver Alliance group. He said: “It’s ridiculous. The thief gets a few coins – or nothing – but the driver has to pay hundreds of pounds to get back on the road, and then it happens again. “You have to keep the taxi plates
screwed onto your car even when you’re not working, or are with family. Imagine driving around on a Saturday night while drunk people bang on the car shouting ‘Taxi!’ while your family is inside. “Drivers are left out of pocket with their cars in the garage, losing work and losing money. “While we
understand the
challenges faced by councils, the current situation calls for innovative solutions to ensure the safety of our drivers and reduce the strain on our police resources. “We propose a modernised plating policy which aligns with the advancement of the taxi and private hire industry, and we need the council to take action.”
ATTACKS AGAINST BOLTON DRIVERS CONTINUE AS ONE IS DRAGGED FROM CAR AND BEATEN
A private hire driver was dragged from his car and beaten in what is described as a spate of attacks against licensed drivers. Bolton PH Association (BPHA) has called for mandatory stickers to be removed from vehicles which they say makes them vulnerable to attacks as they are identified as taxi drivers. Abuse levelled at drivers includes items being thrown at cars to physical assaults. Members of the BPHA have held a meeting with Bolton Council to ask if the stickers can be removed so they will be less vulnerable. Mahmood Akhtar, vice chairman of the BPHA, said: “Our vehicles are attacked because they can see the stickers from miles away and they
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just target us. Cars have had mud and stones thrown at them and most of our drivers have given up on reporting this to the police. “We have had seven attacks recently. At Leverhulme Park the driver had food chucked at him and they damaged his vehicle. “Other problem spots include Tonge Moor Road, Deane Church Lane and High Field in Farnworth. “It is not just those areas, Yasif Khan’s drivers are getting attacked in every area. When they see the stickers they attack. We want them to be removed.” Cllr Sue Haworth said: “I am concerned about driver safety. “It was very effective when the Police Inspector met with trade
representatives last year to discuss intimidation, assaults and fear that many taxi drivers live with. “There are incidents of stone and eggs with flour throwing again here, putting drivers and their passengers at risk of smashed windscreens and accidents. “I met a Heaton taxi driver who was dragged from his vehicle and beaten here in Bolton. “In some other parts of England taxis don’t have sizeable stickers but have smaller plates. This administration has not yet made recommendations on taxi stickers. “We will work with the taxi trade at the council on recommendations about taxi driver and the public’s safety across the borough.”
FEBRUARY 2024 PHTM
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