Taxi drivers threaten to boycott Mill Hill due to vandalism and attacks
https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/n ... m-attacks/
Blackburn taxi drivers said they will boycott the Mill Hill area of Blackburn if police and the local authority do not take action against those vandalising their vehicles.
More than 40 drivers met at Pleasington playing fields on Tuesday evening to raise concerns about the latest spate of attacks on their cars.
In one incident a cabbie was surrounded and attacked while he was on the phone to the police. On other occasions stones have been thrown at taxis.
They are particularly concerned about a group of youths in the New Chapel Street area and park in Mill Hill.
Police said they were aware of the incidents and wanted to reassure drivers that efforts were ongoing to tackle the yobbish behaviour in the area.
Blackburn with Darwen Council said any attacks were ‘disgusting behaviour’.
Last Thursday, City Taxis driver Kabir Afzal, 42, had his rear passenger window smashed by a large stone.
He said: “It was shocking. First the window was smashed and while I was reporting this my wing mirror was vandalised.
“I was surrounded and it was only when some women came out and called the youths off this stopped. The residents were quite supportive. This all happened in daylight at around 8pm.
“I have given the police a description. We have videos of them. What has been done?
“I am fearing for my safety. Sorry, I will no longer will take a fare from that area.”
Mr Afzal has a been a taxi driver for six years and works for City Taxis. He said: “These kind of things happen quite regularly sadly. We're just trying to make a living, we don't deserve to be attacked for it.”
Cabbie Asif Mahmood showed evidence of stones having his vehicle on Friday evening.
He said: “We have no support from the authorities. I am pretty sure they have CCTV and could pick these guys up. But they know nothing will happen so they carry on.”
The group of drivers who met at Pleasington said they would stop picking up people from the area.
One driver said: “We will and can boycott the area. This has gone on long enough.”
Sagir Hussain, of the Private Hire Drivers Association, said: “Drivers do not feel safe going through the Mill Hill area. And if continues we may not be able to provide a service to this area.
“The drivers are frustrated. We feel taxis are being targeted and this must stop. We have to put the safety of the drivers before anything else.
“We have passed on pictures and videos and statements have been made to the police. Someone may get seriously injured for simply doing their job. This is very dangerous.”
Martin Eden, director of place at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “This behaviour is utterly dangerous and irresponsible and could end up with someone getting badly hurt. It also disadvantages decent, law-abiding people in the area if the taxi drivers feel they are not able to work there safely.
"I hope the police are able to take action against those responsible for this disgusting behaviour.”
A police spokesperson said: “We are aware of an incident in Stephen Street, Blackburn, on August 5 where the windows of a Toyota Prius were smashed. We have active lines of inquiry.
“We realise anti-social behaviour can have a significant impact on the lives of residents and those trying to make a living.
"Efforts have been ongoing to tackle anti-social behaviour in Mill Hill and we have had increased targeted patrols over recent months.
"We have also been working with our partner agencies. That work will continue.
“Anyone who is a victim or crime should call 101 or 999 if it is ongoing."