Taxi Driver Online

Nothing particularly new here in the grand scheme of things, but can't recall one specifically from Sheffield before

(And let's play spot-the-councillor )


Sheffield taxi attacks: Taxi drivers 'refusing to serve parts of city' over violent attacks

https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/crime/sh ... ks-5476136

Parts of Sheffield are becoming no-go areas for taxis, amid concerns over violence and attacks, drivers have warned.

It comes as Sheffield city councillor Mark Rusling met with cabbies and called for an end to violence against drivers in the city, amid concerns that recent months have seen an increase in attacks.

Reported incidents have included drivers being attacked with bricks and other missiles, with one driver describing having his windscreen smashed.

Another had a brick dropped onto his car while driving underneath a bridge, and drivers have been forced to stop working because their cars have been damaged. Drivers and passengers have also narrowly avoided serious injury in some of the incidents.

Coun Rusling says the problem is getting worse, with drivers now refusing to serve some parts of the city because of the risk of being attacked.


Image: Mark Rusling/Sheffield Star

The drivers have joined with Coun Rusling, who represents Shiregreen and Brightside, to say ‘enough is enough’. They are calling on the police to increase patrols in hotspot areas, and are asking parents to warn their children about the dangers of attacking taxis.

Coun Rusling said: “I was absolutely shocked to hear of the dangers that taxi drivers are facing just for doing their job. It is an utter disgrace.

“Drivers are a vital part of our city’s community and have the right to go about their work without fear of being attacked with stones and bricks.”

Hafeas Rehman, chairman of the Sheffield Taxi Trade Association, said: “Every driver in Sheffield will have experienced violence, and the problem is getting worse.

“Attacks on drivers are happening every week and this has to stop. If the violence continues, it is only a matter of time before somebody gets seriously hurt.”

Coun Rusling said drivers were attacked with missiles on Shiregreen Lane over the Christmas period, and they recently reported being attacked in Birley, City Road, Woodthorpe Road and around the railway station.

Drivers report attacks on many evenings during the week, with increased attacks on Friday and Saturday nights, he said.

South Yorkshire Police have been approached for comment.

Not much new here, except police have drawn up some kind of 'action plan'. But the problems have apparently dissipated anyway, and one 15-year-old has been referred to the 'youth offending team'.

No doubt to be given a pat on the back because he only used bricks rather than petrol bombs


Sheffield taxi attacks: Police draw up action plan as taxi drivers warn of 'no go' areas

https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/crime/sh ... as-5479166

Police have outlined plans to deal with a spate of attacks on vehicles which have seen parts of Sheffield becoming ‘no go’ areas for taxi drivers.

It was revealed this week that there has been a surge in attacks on taxis and drivers in the city, with Sheffield city councillor Mark Rusling calling for an end to the violence after meeting with cabbies this week.

Drivers have described attacks with missiles on Shiregreen Lane over the Christmas period, and they recently reported being attacked in Birley, City Road, Woodthorpe Road and around the railway station.

Drivers report attacks on many evenings during the week, increasing on Friday and Saturday nights.

Hafeas Rehman, chairman of the Sheffield Taxi Trade Association, warned that if the violence continues, it was only a matter of time before somebody gets seriously hurt.

Now, police say they have put together a plan for one of the worst blackspots, and say they have already taken action against a boy aged just 15 in connection with the issue.

The inspector in charge of South Yorkshire Police’s Sheffield North East neighbourhood policing team, Insp Alec Gibbons, said there had been many complaints of rocks being hurled at vehicles on Shiregreen Lane, Shiregreem, last month,

He told The Star: "In December 2025 we received multiple reports of criminal damage to vehicles on Shiregreen Lane. These incidents reportedly consisted of youths throwing stones and rocks at passing vehicles.

"A patrol plan is in place to help act as a deterrent to those involved in anti-social behaviour and criminality."

But the picture seemed to have improved since New Year.

He added: “We have not received any reports of taxis on Shiregreen Lane being damaged in January 2026.”

He also confirmed action had been taken against a youth over the issue.

“On 11 January, a 15-year-old boy was referred to our youth offending team for admitting the offence of damage to a motor vehicle from August 2025," he said.

Coun Rusling said: “I was absolutely shocked to hear of the dangers that taxi drivers are facing just for doing their job. It is an utter disgrace.

“Drivers are a vital part of our city’s community and have the right to go about their work without fear of being attacked with stones and bricks.”

That Sheffield Star piece isn't paywalled, but half the article is hidden initially, and there's an invitation to register for free:


Doesn't exactly inspire confidence as regards quality

Obviously one of those national publishing group titles using the same website template nationally, but someone's forgotten to adjust the message for the local title. The like of the Edinburgh Evening News uses the same website template, as can be seen just by comparing the menus and layouts at the top of the screen:

https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/crime/sh ... as-5479166

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/ ... rs-5467732

You're not a million miles off the truth.

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IDFIMH