Taxi Driver Online

Alert as another cabbie is beaten

TAXI drivers have been urged to take care in their cabs.


The warning comes after a cabbie was beaten up in Halifax, the latest in a string of violent attacks on drivers in the last 12 months.

Arshad Mahmood, treasurer of Calderdale Private Hire Association, said drivers were increasingly worried about being assaulted.

"It is getting worse. We're very vulnerable," he said.

He urged drivers to only accept pre-booked fares and if they had any doubts not to let people into their cars.

"Trust your instincts – it's better to be safe than sorry," he said.

"I've got four kids and I don't want them being woken up by a police officer saying their dad has been killed while he was working."

The association's warning comes after Mohammed Kumran Majid, 38, of Crossleys Taxis, based at Dean Clough, was beaten, kicked and left lying in the road after picking up six men in Illingworth on Saturday night.

People passing by stopped their car to help the father-of-four, who was taken to hospital with a fractured collarbone, cuts and bruises.

"I was just trying to make my living and provide a service," said Mr Majid.

He said the group started calling him names, said they would not pay for the trip and then launched their attack.

Mr Majid said: "I want to say thank you to the people who stopped and what they did for me."

Police said four men had been arrested and released without charge. Inquiries are ongoing.

In March taxi driver Ansar Mahmood was robbed and hit with a bottle. In April another had a knife held to his throat.

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
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