Drivers Speak Out After Taxi Attacks
16 September 2009
A 63-year-old taxi driver was attacked and beaten up as he drove his cab during an attempted robbery in Wellingborough.
The driver was held down and punched in the face in Senwick Drive at 5am yesterday.
The attack has prompted two other drivers to speak of their fears after they, too, were attacked while picking up customers in the town.
Imran Wousaf and Davinder Pal, both 36, who have been driving taxis in the town for just over a year, said they feel they are in constant danger behind the wheel.
In the past month, Mr Wousaf, of Allen Road, Rushden, said he has been punched twice and had death threats made on his son.
He said: "At the beginning of August I picked a guy up from Bar Life and took him to Rushden.
"He said 'I'm not paying', then he came around and started punching and kicking me through the door.
"A few weeks later I dropped a guy in Northampton. I charged him first, and when we got there he said 'If you don't give me my money back, I'll punch you.' Then he hit me anyway.
"We're scared and it's just unsafe."
Mr Pal, who lives in Bedford, but drives his taxi in Wellingborough, picked up a man from the town's taxi rank one Friday night in August and took him to Burn Road.
The passenger refused to pay and snatched £40 from Mr Pal, before running away.
Mr Pal, who also had a fight with a customer in Sheep Street at Christmas, said: "We have no security. When people make trouble with taxi drivers we have no back-up from any authority. We feel unsafe and it's a dangerous job.
"There should be something protecting us."
Chairman of Wellingborough Taxi Drivers' Association Barry Liffen said: "Violence is on the increase. It's a dangerous job because people know we are a source of money."
Police officers are appealing for witnesses to the attack on the 63-year-old after a journey from Northampton.
Three men demanded their pre-paid fare should be returned then one held the driver while another punched him. He suffered minor injuries.
The three men were in their early 20s, two were of mixed race and the other was black. All wore hoodie-type clothing.
Witnesses are asked to call Northamptonshire Police on 03000 111 222 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Source; Evening Telegraph - northantset.co.uk
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