Tremorfa a no-go area for Cardiff taxis after another gang attackCabbies have been told to avoid jobs in a Cardiff suburb on “health and safety grounds” after a second gang attack in three months.
Mathab Khan, chairman of the Cardiff Hackney Carriage Association, has urged members to avoid fares in Tremorfa “at all times of the day”.
The stark warning comes after a driver escaped stones thrown by youths after he dropped off a customer on Runway Road on Monday afternoon.
Shahid Butt, 51 – a taxi driver for 17 years – said the windscreen was cracked before he “bombed” out of the street to avoid injury.
He said: “There was a big gang of them on the street shooting stones at my car. I put my foot down and got out of the street.”
Mr Butt said he did not report the incident to police because it has happened before – twice in Tremorfa and once in Splott – and nothing has come of it.
“You get a letter a month later saying they couldn’t find anything and the matter has been closed,” he said. When you take a Tremorfa fare it is £6, and damage to the car is £400 or £500.”
It follows another attack on Boxing Day where 44-year-old driver Kibria Shah said he feared he may be killed after being set upon by a gang of 15 youths on Dunsmuir Road – also in Tremorfa.
Union leader Mr Khan has now issued advice to drivers saying they should avoid the area at all times.
He said: “These criminal gangs have started attacking our taxis during broad daylight and seem to be getting away with it.
“Hence we’d like to advise everyone to avoid taking fares to Tremorfa at all times of the day.”
A council spokesman said: “Cardiff council supports measures which enable drivers to reduce risk in their working environment.”
South Wales Police confirmed the incident had not been reported.
http://yourcardiff.walesonline.co.uk/20 ... ng-attack/
Login
Register
FAQ
