Cabbies get help to avoid attacksPolice are to launch a crime awareness campaign among taxi drivers following a series of attacks.
Officers said there had been a worrying number of assaults and robberies on drivers in Leicester city centre in the past six months.
Now, crime prevention group Safer Leicester Partnership is circulating a leaflet to cabbies and will speak directly to drivers about steps they can take to stay safe.
In November, four attacks on taxi drivers were reported to police.
This increased to eight in December, nine in January, seven in February and nine in March. There have been two attacks so far this month.
Police are advising drivers not to display valuables or large sums of money and how to spot potential troublemakers.
The leaflet, which was sent out to more than 400 registered drivers yesterday, also offers tips on how to write a clear description of an attacker and why the scene of a crime must not be tampered with.
Pc TJ Mavani, of the police's licensing department, said: "Although serious incidents against taxi drivers are rare and we have seen a significant reduction so far this month, we still want to ensure that all drivers are well aware of ways to keep themselves protected and also how best to report a crime."
Gurpal Singh Atwal, a Hackney cab driver and secretary of the Leicester branch of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers Union, said: "I've been attacked in the past and a lot of drivers have stories to tell about abusive or violent customers.
"Drivers who are victims of crime can lose their confidence and do not want to work at night any more.
"Hopefully, the people who have carried out these crimes will get what they deserve.
"I think drivers are reassured by the work the police are doing."
Assistant city mayor Councillor Piara Singh Clair said: "Taxi drivers are often working alone late at night so it is important they feel safe doing their jobs and the crime prevention advice in this campaign will hopefully help achieve that."
Of the recent incidents, police have located the suspects for eight of them, resulting in six charges, one caution and one case resolved through restorative justice – where the offender escaped prosecution by apologising and carrying out some form of reparation.
Two youths have appeared in court and one man is due to appear this month following a robbery in January.
Safer Leicester Partnership is made up of city council representatives and the police.
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