Taxi Driver Online

https://news.stv.tv/highlands-islands/woman-charged-after-viral-video-of-taxi-driver-being-racially-abused-in-inverness

A woman has been charged after a video of a taxi driver being racially abused by a passenger in Inverness went viral.

After the footage gained attention on social media on Tuesday evening, Police Scotland confirmed it was investigating and looking for those involved.

The alleged hate crime incident took place in a city taxi at around 11.20pm on Saturday, a spokesperson for the force said.

On Wednesday afternoon, officers said a 59-year-old woman had been charged in connection with the incident.

Anti-racism educational charity Show Racism the Red Card Scotland told STV News the racist abuse suffered by the taxi driver was saddening but not surprising.

“This type of ‘everyday’ racism is happening right across the country,” a spokesperson said.

“From taxi drivers to fast food workers, school kids to NHS staff, the racism that people have to suffer on a daily basis is horrendous.

“The dignity and decorum shown by the driver should be an example to us all.”

STV News has contacted the Scottish Taxi Federation for comment.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Officers have carried out enquiries into a video that has been circulating on social media of a hate crime incident which took place in a taxi in Inverness around 11.20pm on Saturday, September 9, 2023.

“A 59-year-old woman has been charged in connection with the incident and will be the subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal.

“Any type of hate crime is completely unacceptable and this type of abuse will not be tolerated. Incidents can be reported to police by contacting 101 or this website.”

Posted in
The Highlands

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

and of course the usual story (based on the one above) calling for CCTV to be installed

https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/inverness-taxi-drivers-have-to-protect-themselves-326296/

Inverness taxi drivers are being advised to fit CCTV within their vehicles to protect themselves from abuse or threats.

The advice from the Inverness Taxi Alliance (ITA), which represents drivers across the city, comes after a viral video apparently showing one driver facing a lengthy tirade of abuse from a passenger prompted discussion on the abusive behaviour operators face. It included racist abuse.

ITA vice chairman Duncan Fraser said abuse of drivers was, sadly, nothing new.

"It is more common than you might think," he said. "Every single driver more or less will have suffered abuse of some kind or another while on shift.

"That would be especially at nights or on the weekends where drink is likely to be involved.

"I know of one driver recently, now retired, who suffered two serious incidents of abuse in just a couple of months, his vehicle also badly damaged.

"I would say that 99 per cent of the time alcohol has been taken by those who are doling out this abuse."

He added: "There has been a large rise in the number of foreign nationals driving taxis and as a result I would say racist abuse particularly is becoming increasingly common.

"Maybe it is because in most cases when a passenger gets into your taxi you are a stranger to them and they are a stranger to you that makes then think it is OK to behave like this, bit it's not."

Duncan Fraser of the Inverness Taxi Alliance.Duncan Fraser of the Inverness Taxi Alliance.
He said that a private online discussion group allows drivers to share information on passengers who have been abusive or threatening, ensuring they will find it difficult to access local taxi services in the future.

And pointing to how else technology can help tackle the issue he added: "We are all for protection of the public and there has rightly been a lot of discussion and initiatives to make sure passengers are safe when travelling alone in taxis.

"Equally, though, drivers have to protect themselves from those passengers who might, for whatever reason, decide it's OK to be abusive towards them.

"My advice to any driver is to get CCTV in their vehicle to have a record of what is going on.

"When I started driving very few drivers had cameras in their vehicles, now I would say most do.

"Taxi drivers are generally well able to look after themselves – I've had threats made against me and I'm not bothered.

"Some guys, though, could be quite intimidated by it and nobody should have to just put up with that kind of thing."

Inverness area commander for Police Scotland, Chief Inspector Judy Hill, said: “This matter has not been reported to police, however officers are now carrying out enquiries into the video to identify and trace those involved.

“Any type of hate crime is completely unacceptable and this type of abuse will not be tolerated.”

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Is it such a bad thing to assist in getting thugs and racists convicted?

Surprised it's as low as 99%.

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IDFIMH

Well all that's kind of the sanitised version after charges were brought.

Quite a few articles about this one in the Scottish press, and some have been pulled or amended.

In particular, the original article on the Inverness Courier's website included quite a long, clear and hugely incriminating video. If she was local, she was never going to get away with it, and she did sound like she was from that neck of the woods. So unsurprising that she was arrested and charged fairly quickly, and apparently the driver hadn't even complained to police

Which is one interesting aspect to it all. The other is that while the likes of me would be unlikely to be subject to any racial element, what stands out is perhaps the more generally abusive nature to it all, but a lot of the comment largely ignores that and simply focuses on the 'hate crime' element, ie because there's a racial element to it all.

For anyone who hasn't seen the video, there's a two-minute plus version of it here, although I'm sure the original video I saw was a bit longer, because there was a bit of dialogue after the end here when the driver tells the perp she's being filmed, although in the overall context of it all, it probably wasn't significant.

The other funny thing about it for me was that when I saw the video it kind of looked like some bad acting from the woman, and the driver to a degree, as if it was some kind of spoof. But of course since charges have been brought, it's obviously genuine.

Another interesting aspect not covered by the stuff above is that she also threatened to accuse the driver of 'trying it on' with her if a complaint was made to police. It seems the driver was taking her to the police station after a fare dispute. But presumably that never happened, because obviously the police were unaware of it all until the video was posted online. So what happened after the video ended and the woman got out of the car is anyone's guess, and that aspect of it all is a bit murky

https://twitter.com/SwearingOAPs/status ... 0767763525

This is an article on the Press & Journal's website before the charges. Note that it merely mentions the 'swearing' angle in the passing. The photos and video have also been pulled on the updated version, but these are the original photos below.

This, does, however, mention the fact that the woman said that she intended accusing the driver of 'trying it on' if he pressed charges - in fact, it's even in the headline

And it also says that he didn't press charges for 'religious reasons'. Which seems very odd, if he was driving her to the police station, and had such damning evidence. And, to that extent, how did the video end up splattered all over the online press and social media?

Don't know how many things they've pulled or amended from this, precisely, but interesting that the line where the councillor says she needs 'counselling and help' doesn't appear in the latest version


Woman hurls racist abuse at Inverness taxi driver and tells him ‘I’ll tell police you tried it on with me’

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/ne ... xi-driver/

https://archive.ph/iWuvF



Officers are now working to trace the woman, who was filmed by the driver as he took her to the police station for refusing to pay her fare.

A shocking video of the racist abuse hurled at an Inverness taxi driver has been shared online.

The two-minute clip was filmed by the driver, who appears to have started recording when his passenger refused to pay her fare.

The clip starts as she is mid-way through a racist rant, calling the man – who remains calm throughout – a “parasite”.

The driver works for City Taxis in Inverness. The woman’s identity is unknown.

The video has been viewed more than 1.7million times on X, formerly Twitter.

She tells him to get back to his own country while swearing at him.

The taxi driver remains completely calm, simply saying “uh huh”, “wow” and even “dearie me” at one point. He also confirms to the woman that he is Scottish.

‘The coppers like me’

After being asked if she has anything else to say, the woman – who is also vaping in the back seat – demands to be let out or she’ll “set fire to the car”.

He responds: “I’m taking you to the police station and the police can decide what to do.”

She replies: “Good luck to you, because the coppers like me – they won’t like a parasite like you.”

The woman begins kicking the back of his seat, and says he has “prisonered” her in the back of the cab.

He again tells her: “I’m taking you to the police station because you have refused to pay me.”

She tells the driver she will run-off, and then changes tact – threatening to tell officers the driver “tried it on” with her because she wouldn’t pay.

The driver tells the woman that she is on the camera, while calmly asking if she has anything more to say.

Driver not pressing charges

A spokeswoman for City Taxis said the driver had chosen not to press charges for “religious reasons”.

However, police have now charged a 59-year-old woman after making their own investigations.

Highland councillor Duncan Macpherson, a member of the council’s taxi licensing committee, said: “There is a code of practice and standards that taxi drivers have to adhere to.

“They work in often very challenging situations, especially when people are intoxicated through drink or drugs. This is an unedifying moment for Inverness. The public reaction is not surprising due to the abhorrent nature of the passenger in the video.

“With everything being done in the city and area to promote it as a destination, it is desperately disappointing.

“I would reassure visitors that this video is in no way a reflection of Inverness. Inverness is a multicultural place – and we all need to embrace that.”

“At this point, it has 1.7million views on Twitter. With everything being done in the city and area to promote it as a destination, it is desperately disappointing.

“I would reassure visitors that this video is in no way a reflection of Inverness. Inverness is a multicultural place – and we all need to embrace that.

“The person involved requires counseling and help.”

​Police have not received a report from the taxi driver, but confirmed to The P&J that they are investigating.[/color]

Chief Inspector Judy Hill said: “This matter has not been reported to police, however officers are now carrying out inquiries into the video to identify and trace those involved.

“Any type of hate crime is completely unacceptable and this type of abuse will not be tolerated.”

Billy Singh, from Show Racism the Red Card in Scotland, said: “Show Racism the Red Card are both angry and sad at the racist abuse suffered by the taxi driver. But we are not surprised.

“This type of ‘everyday’ racism is happening right across the country. From taxi drivers to fast food workers, school kids to NHS staff, the racism that people have to suffer on a daily basis is horrendous.

“We hope the perpetrator is found by the police and charged accordingly. And the dignity and decorum shown by the driver should be an example to us all.”

Mass condemnation on X

On social media, comedian Janey Godley – who was previously accused of using racist language – said: “That’s utterly horrific and sending solidarity to your family.”

MizLNicTeàrlach posted: “That poor man. Hope she is dealt with severely, not just for the racism but for her threats to falsely report him for sexual harassment.”

Maria Coleman wrote: “Shocking to hear this abuse. The man was so calm. I hope that horrible person gets the book thrown at her.”

And MoKaStHa commented: “My heart rate is up just watching this – that poor man.

“The racist language is awful enough. Goading. But the threat to falsely accuse him…! I knew racism existed in Scotland but to hear the worst racism I’ve ever heard – by far – in the Highlands.”

This was another article on the Daily Record's website, and takes a slightly different tack. I've never seen so many censored f**** and c**** in an article like this


Shameful footage shows racist pensioner abusing taxi driver in vile tirade

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scot ... r-30930097

https://archive.ph/Hfvdm

The unidentified woman repeatedly calls the man a "parasite" and tells him that he "shouldn't even be in our f****** country" because he's "not even Scottish".


Image: Daily Record

A shocking video clip has emerged of a Scots woman subjecting a taxi driver to a barrage of horrific racist abuse. The unidentified woman repeatedly hurls vile slurs at the male driver from the back seat of the vehicle.

The footage, which has been widely shared on social media, is understood to have been taken in the Inverness area earlier this week. Police Scotland have confirmed they are now investigating.

The footage starts with the woman, who appears to be elderly, shouting: “You shouldn’t even f****** be in our country, you’re not even Scottish. “Why don’t you go back to your foreign f****** country, f****** land. Parasite.”

The driver, who remains calm throughout the incident, asks the woman if she has anything else to say. She replies: “Stinky f****** parasite, that’s what you are. Let me out of here before I f****** set fire to your f****** car.”

The driver then says: “I’m taking you to the police station”. The irate passenger responds: “Oh [edited by admin] off you c***. Good luck to you. The coppers like me, they won’t like a f****** parasite like you. F****** c***. Go and f*** yourself.

“You’re a f****** t***, that’s what you are. So you f******* prisonised me here. You won’t let me out the f****** car so you prisonised me. You won’t let me out the f****** car, p*** off you f******* c***, so you f****** are.

“You f****** b******, that’s what you are. When we get there, let me out and I’ll be f****** off so carry on mate. You f****** waste of space, c***. What do you expect me to pay it now, do you? Turn that f****** metre off cause I’m not paying f*** all.

“C*** that you are. F****** c***, that’s all you are. You’re a f******* foreign b********. Imagine keeping me prisoner in the f****** car, you c***. Wouldn’t even let me out, so f******, I’ll tell you what I’ll f****** tell the cops that you tried it on with me.

“I’ll say you tried it on with me so there you go so you better let me out. Dirty c***. I’ll say you tried it on because I wouldn’t pay your money. So good luck to you, you b******. “

The driver then states: “You’ve no idea, madam, that you are on a camera.” The video then cuts out as the woman replies: “Oh, I’m on a camera?”

Jim Kyle, chairman of the Scottish Taxi Federation, said: “Unfortunately this isn’t the first time I’ve heard about incidents like this involving drivers being abused. Racial abuse is just not acceptable in any shape, form or size and the Scottish Taxi Federation utterly condemns it.

“This is why we would encourage all drivers to have cameras inside their vehicles. It keeps everybody safe - both drivers and our customers.”

The shameful incident has also been condemned by anti-racism charity Show Racism the Red Card.

In a statement, they said: "Show Racism the Red Card are both angry and sad at the racist abuse suffered by the taxi driver. But we are not surprised.

“This type of 'everyday' racism is happening right across the country. From taxi drivers to fast food workers, school kids to NHS staff, the racism that people have to suffer on a daily basis is horrendous.

“Our current campaign 'Migrants Make Scotland Great' shines a light on the positive contribution that immigrants have made to Scotland to counteract the relentless anti-immigrant narrative.

“We hope the racist is found by the police and charged accordingly. And the dignity and decorum shown by the driver should be an example to us all.”

Police Scotland’s Chief Inspector Judy Hill said: “This matter has not been reported to police, however officers are now carrying out enquiries into the video to identify and trace those involved.

“Any type of hate crime is completely unacceptable and this type of abuse will not be tolerated.”

So she's been officially banned by a couple of local firms, including the one the driver works for - who'd have expected that?

And that's been reported in at least two news outlets. Call me cynical, though, but the firm's official statement lays it on with a trowel a bit, and reads like the worst of the self-righteous stuff coming from a government's or council's comms department. 'Working closely', 'safety is paramount', blah, blah, and that's not to mention the slightly OTT stuff about inclusivity, diversity etc: