Taxi Driver Online

A Gloucester cab driver has spoken of his terror after a gang of men attacked his private hire taxi.

Saleem Akhtar, 22, drives a cab for Bristol Road-based 321 Taxis.

He said three men stepped out into the street, forcing him to stop the car in Kingsholm Road at about 4.30am on Sunday.

"I was on my way to Denmark Road to pick some people up who had booked the taxi," said Saleem.

"These guys walked into the road so I had to stop, and they were asking if I could take them to Hucclecote.

"I told them I couldn't because I was on a job, and that's when things got out of hand."

He said the men then surrounded the vehicle and started to hurl abuse at him.

They then kicked the taxi denting both back passenger doors.

One of the men even picked up a nearby estate agent's sign and threatened to throw it through the windscreen.

"I was really scared and nervous," said Saleem. "I was on the radio calling for help, I was shouting 'Help me, help me' into the radio but none of the other drivers were around.

"I saw the man with the sign in my mirror, and luckily I managed to drive off before he could throw it."

Saleem said he called the police shortly after the attack.

A police spokeswoman confirmed the incident and said one man was arrested.

She said: "At around 4.30am on Sunday, August 2, three men kicked a cream Mercedes C Class taxi in Kingsholm Road, causing dents and scratches, after they were refused a lift.

"A 17-year-old boy from Gloucester was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.

"He has been bailed to return to Gloucester Police Station on August 24 pending further enquiries."

http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/gloucestershireheadlines/Terror-gang-attack-taxi/article-1219286-detail/article.html

All people are worried about is that he is pictured on double yellow lines.

If we introduced the crime of jay walking into this country we wouldn't have to stop, would we

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

This is an old ploy by the miscreant section of our society & one which an in-experienced cabbie may not be able to cope with. It is very common in Brum on a Friday & Saturday night & the situtation can become dangerous for the cabbie.

So, what to do? Well this is what I do.

Firstly, lock your doors (I always travel with all my doors locked) smile at the jobs & with your hand beckon them towards your vehicle. This puts them at ease to some extent & when they come towards your vehicle & are out of the path of your escape route & level with your windows ..... floor the accelerator & don't stop.

About twenty years ago, a girl was lying in the middle of a side road & rolling around as if in pain, at 5.00am on a Sunday morning, just as a curry house owner (from the curry house we used to use) was returning home with the takings from a good Saturday night. He had £500 in his pocket, which was equivalent to about £3000-4000 now. The fool stopped to see what had happened & as he approached the girl in the road, was set-upon by another five girls & robbed of his takings.

You can never be too careful & I for one will call the emergency services in situations like this & NEVER get out of my vehicle.

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Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

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