Taxi Driver Online

Gang stab taxi driver in robbery


A TAXI driver has been knifed and robbed by four thugs.

Now the traumatised victim’s bosses have put up a £2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of his attackers.

The drama unfolded when the driver, who works for Basildon-based company A&B Taxis, was called to pick up a fare from Oldwyk, at the junction of Vange Hill Drive, in Vange at about 11pm on Friday.

In a twist of fate another cabbie, from Basildon-based Value Cars, had also been called to the same spot, and the two men picked up each other’s customers by accident.

The A&B driver, a 31-year-old man, drove his two male passengers to a car park in Redgrave Road, Vange. When they arrived, the men got out of the cab, a white Skoda Octavia, and were quickly joined by two others.

Suddenly, without warning, the men, who were all black, grabbed the driver’s takings and car keys and stabbed him in the shoulder before fleeing.

The driver, who was left slumped over his wheel and bleeding from his injuries, managed to call for help. Paramedics and police raced to the scene.

The driver was taken to Basildon Hospital, where he was treated for his stab wound. He is recovering at home.

Gary Brand, who co-owns A&B Taxis with Steve Foster, said: “Our driver lost a lot of blood. He said the way things stand, he really doesn’t want to be a taxi driver anymore.

“This is a big shock, but we are taking it very seriously, which is why we’re offering a reward. We are giving our driver all the support we can.”

Mr Brand said he is looking into having CCTV cameras installed in his company’s fleet of cars to ensure the safety of his workers.

He added: “It’s just awful. Our drivers are there to provide a service to the people of Basildon.

“Taxi drivers have been robbed numerous times over the last year and now I’m looking to see if there is any way we can get CCTV installed in our cars.”

Anyone with information about the attack can contact investigating officer, Det Con Ben Griffiths, at Basildon CID on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

http://www.brentwoodweeklynews.co.uk/ne ... n_robbery/

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

Good move.

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IDFIMH

Another good move if he does have it fitted, I guess better late than never

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

“Taxi drivers have been robbed numerous times over the last year and now I’m looking to see if there is any way we can get CCTV installed in our cars.”

Sounds as if he is interested to see if anyone else will pay for the CCTV after all if you want CCTV you can just go out and buy it

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

Man, 26, arrested in taxi stabbing case


A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of stabbing a taxi driver during a robbery.

The arrest came as officials from the taxi industry called on Basildon and Essex County councils to stump up cash to pay for CCTV in cabs.

Dave Downton, chairman of the Private Hire Association, in Basildon, said the stabbing had left drivers across the borough worried for their safety.

He said he plans to raise the issue of CCTV being installed in cabs at the next licensing meeting held by Basildon Council.

Mr Downton said: “This attack has completely outraged the taxi driving fraternity. Everybody has been sickened that such a vicious assault has been carried out on a driver.

“We have had taxi drivers robbed before, but we have never had anyone stabbed.

“We all stick together and all we can hope is the perpetrators are brought to justice.”

An Echo story yesterday explained how the 31-year-old taxi driver, who works for A&B Taxis, picked up two men in Redgrave Road, Vange.

He dropped them at a car park in Oldwyk, Vange, where they launched their savage attack.

They were joined by two other men. They stabbed the driver in the shoulder before stealing his takings and the keys to his Skoda Octavia, at 11pm, on Friday.

The man was taken to Basildon Hospital and is now recovering at home.

Mr Downton added: “CCTV being put in cabs was mentioned some time ago and nothing was done about it, but I think there now needs to be a rethink.

“We absolutely cannot allow anything like this to happen again. I’m just pleased the police have made an arrest.”

Bosses at A&B Taxis have now put up a £2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

A 26-year-old man from Basildon has been arrested on suspicion of robbery. He has been bailed until March.

All four robbers were described as black men.

Witnesses to the attack can contact Basildon CID on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

http://www.brentwoodweeklynews.co.uk/ne ... bing_case/

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