Taxi firm's warning over rogue cabbies A Renfrewshire cabbie service is warning women to be on red alert over rogue taxi drivers. Johnstone TOA has warned local revellers to be cautious after a 23-year-old female was sexually assaulted by a motorist who drove her from Glasgow city centre to the West End.
The victims ordeal began in the early hours of the morning, when she was helped into the car by a man and woman. She was eating within the Bistro Takeaway, in Renfield Street, at around 1am on April 13 last month. She was then helped into a car, which police believe could possibly be a taxi, by the man and woman at around 1.35am.
But the young woman was driven to Great Western Road, near to the Lincoln Inn, where she was sexually assaulted. Now Johnstone TOA, the local service for the area, is highlighting the dangers of bogus cabbies.
Debbie Anderson, general manager at Johnstone TOA, said: "We would ask our customers to be extra vigilant, and strongly advise them to only ever get into a private cab they have booked in advance. "Identifying a genuine cab is very straight forward. Customers should be looking for a Renfrewshire Council plate on the bumper of the vehicle and a branded council sticker on the side window.
The sticker provides information about which company the cab belongs to, the vehicle licence number and its expiry date. "If the vehicle is not branded with a company logo, customers should be asking the driver to confirm the cab company and the name of the booking before getting into a private taxi. "In terms of people, especially women, travelling to and from the City Centre Johnstone TOA has a priority return policy. This means the taxi dropping them off will be the one picking them up." Johnstone TOA is currently in the process of updating all its vehicles with branded door panel stickers making it easier for customers to identify its cabs. At this time 30 per cent of vehicles are branded with the remaining cars to be completed early next year.
All Johnstone TOA drivers are fully disclosed by Disclosure Scotland. Inspector Gavin Smith, who is based in the Glasgow city centre police office, also warned revellers.
He said: "I would like to remind everyone to use caution when travelling home and to take some simple precautions that will help keep you safe "Do not use unofficial ranks or unlicensed taxis, its simply not worth the risk. "I would urge people to use NiteZone ranks or to only get into a private hire that they have booked themselves. "Remember, all genuine taxi drivers carry ID, which you can always ask to see. "Anyone with suspicions as to the legitimacy of any taxi driver should not get into the vehicle and should contact police."
Police have asked the man and woman, who helped the victim into the car, to come forward as they may have vital evidence about the attack.
Detective Inspector Greg Wilkie, who is leading the investigation, said: "We are in the process of reviewing CCTV images and are keen to speak to anyone who was within Bistro Takeaway, Renfield Street or anyone who was on Great Western who may have information which could assist our investigation." -
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