Taxi Driver Online

Nothing particularly new here

And that's both in terms of stuff like that below, and the claim that it's all gotten worse in recent years, particularly after lockdown etc.

Not sure of that myself, although there's definitely stuff like giving teenagers free buses all the time that has caused disorder, but obviously that's not directly a taxi thing, although could have an indirect impact near bus station ranks etc.

And not sure if the lack of drivers thing could be more to do with stuff like the tax checks and all the vetting/immigration checks etc. Otherwise, it couldn't be any easier to get a badge in Fife, at least compared to other parts of Scotland

And it's certainly not quite so bad here at the opposite end of Fife, and the likes of Dunfermline is a different world - doubt if I've actually been there since before lockdown


Dunfermline taxi drivers face verbal abuse and fare dodging

https://www.dunfermlinepress.com/news/2 ... e-dodging/

The owner of a Dunfermline taxi company has hit out after “losing so many good drivers” due to abuse from passengers.

Instances of disrespectful behaviour coupled with frequent fare dodging offences are making the job unbearable for some, according to the businessman.

He said: “We don’t get any respect in society because we’re taxi drivers. It’s as if somebody with a certain type of job can say whatever they want, and we just have to shut up and listen.

“So many good drivers just don’t have the stamina to put up with it. Without taxi drivers, good luck when you’re drunk and you need to get home.

“We’re working and paying tax, but we’re bottom of the list because of our profession.

“The way we're being treated is horrible, and that’s when we have cameras. Imagine if we didn’t.”

Worryingly, some incidents have even escalated to physical abuse.

Reports in recent years include an incident in which a drunk passenger choking a taxi driver whilst he was going at 70 miles per hour near Halbeath.

It's now been over a decade since a Dunfermline driver had to be brought back to life after suffering a cardiac arrest following a knife attack.

The unnamed company owner said: “I’ve got a thick skin, and so do most of my drivers, but when someone puts their hands on you, enough is enough.”

He stated that fare dodging is the most common incident that drivers have to deal with, claiming that that support is hard to come by.

He said: “I’ve reported around ten incidents, and never had a penny back. It’s always that police can’t find the person involved.

“It all adds up, but you can’t do anything. The situation is far worse than when I started it 2017.

“We don’t want to phone them, they come and take a statement, then it’s phone call after phone call, but nothing else.

“I don’t know whether it’s a lack of staff and police officers, but it’s been worse since Covid.”

“There was always trouble, but before there was a bit of help. Now nobody will turn up.”

Police recently confirmed that they are investigating an alleged assault on a taxi driver during a journey from Dunfermline to Rosyth.

Drivers leave because they can't earn enough or they have a better-paying/more sensible hours job.

Abuse is a curse on our trade, but not many leave due to it.

_________________
IDFIMH

Not job, and the t-word isn't even mentioned.

But I'm wondering if the timing of this from Dunfermline is entirely coincidental in view of the article above?

A ton of photos via the link if anyone's actually interested...

Of course, there's a whole genre of this type of stuff. But, if you read this closely, did they actually attend any actual crime or incidents during all this? Even the situation of the mysterious chap with the baseball bat and knife is simply 'de-escalated' and it's not even clear if the whole thing might have been a false alarm...

Of course, there's no doubt a lot more to the night than as portrayed here. But the lack of real crime stuff kind of confirms the PR dimension to a lot of this kind of thing


EXCLUSIVE: Inside weekend police patrol keeping Dunfermline streets safe

https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/52 ... ce-patrol/

Knife threats, car crashes, missing people and even an abandoned snake - all in a night's work for Fife cops.

Knife threats, car crashes, missing people, and even an abandoned snake were all in a night’s work for police in Dunfermline on Saturday.

The Courier was given exclusive access to join a night patrol to observe how frontline officers tackle crime as it occurs.

Sergeant Fraser Simpson was amongst the senior officers overseeing the night’s response teams.

Officers were tasked with covering Dunfermline city centre, as well as a stretch of south-west Fife from Aberdour to Kincardine.

Police teams covering south west Fife from Aberdour to Kincardine

Incidents are prioritised in order of risk on what is known as the ‘stack’ – a constantly evolving list of calls.

Priority incidents – usually 999 emergency calls – are known as ‘immediates’ and will see officers dispatched without delay.

Meanwhile, less time-sensitive incidents – called ‘prompts’ will be lower down the stack.

The first ‘immediate’ for officers came in at around 6.30pm.

Reports of a domestic dispute having quickly escalated at a property in Oakley.

Information suggested a man was at large in the village armed with both a baseball bat and a kitchen knife.

All available units were immediately dispatched to the area, as a description of the suspect was radioed to officers.

With an obvious potential risk to the public, units were also called from surrounding areas to assist.

Arriving in Oakley, it was immediately clear how seriously the incident was being treated, with numerous police vehicles searching for the suspect.

Oakley knife incident was main priority

As the search continued, new intelligence suggested the suspect had returned to a local pub before heading to a family member’s home.

As the incident was de-escalated, it was time for Sergeant Simpson to swing by two of Dunfermline’s anti-social hot-spots.

In recent weeks, Calais Muir Wood – an area of woodland has been plagued by deliberate and damaging wildfires.

Police patrols have been increased in a bid to deter youths and to apprehend any known troublemakers.

In addition, regular patrols are in place to cover Dunfermline bus station, another magnet for youth disorder within the city centre.

Sergeant Simpson said a number of key areas had been added to patrols as police stepped up efforts to tackle the problems.

He said: “We found that combustible rubbish was being taken from the bins of local businesses and used to start fires at Calais Muir woods.

Anti-social hot-spots targeted with police patrols

“We’ve liaised with businesses over bin storage and with the added patrols, it’s stated to have a positive effect on the problem.”

Recent anti-social behaviour at local beaches as well as at Dunfermline bus station has also been a concern for police.

A regular police presence has been maintained throughout the evening patrols to nip any issues before they escalate.

At 9pm, Sergeant Dale Hendry, took time out from prioritising the night’s calls to oversee an officer briefing.

As well as updating officers on ongoing incidents, information was shared on a variety of wanted individuals, including those wanted for outstanding offences, escaped prisoners, and recently returned offenders to the Dunfermline area.

Shortly after, a call was received about a female in the town park threatening to commit suicide.

An immediate response was triggered with the priority to locate the individual as soon as possible.

It was another example of the type of demands put on officers during a typical shift.

Visible police presence in Dunfermline city centre

A strong, visible officer presence on the streets of Dunfermline, with officers speaking with revellers, door staff and landlords is also seen as of paramount importance.

Two recent assaults in the town linked to venues meant a high-profile uniformed presence

And the night’s strangest call – the discovery of a box containing an abandoned snake on a residential street.

A call to the relevant animal welfare organisation sorted the problem.

It also meant relief for Sergeant Simpson, glad that the reptile was not required to be brought into Dunfermline police station.

By midnight, the Courier’s stint was over, but for police, the work continues through the night.

From car crashes and immediate priority vulnerable missing persons, to reports of a woman having taken a knife from behind the counter at a takeaway, the calls kept on coming.