Taxi Driver Online

Daily Record

January 22, 2008, Tuesday

ACID ATTACK YOB CAUGHT ON CCTV;

TURF WAR FEAR AS MINICABS TARGETED

A HOODED man pours acid over a fleet of private hire cabs - sparking fears of a taxi war.

Seven vehicles belonging to Edinburgh firm Direct Cabs were targeted by the thug, causing pounds 10,000 worth of damage.

Now drivers are scared to go to work, fearing a bid by gangsters to take over the capital's lucrative private hire trade.

Dirty money worth millions is made and laundered by gangsters infiltrating cab firms.

Driver Steven Walker, 51, said colleagues fear someone could get hurt if a war for control of the trade breaks out.

He added: "There are new owners who have recently taken over private hire companies in Edinburgh and rumours are flying about that they're really owned by heavies from Glasgow.

"The drivers are concerned this could just be the start of things."

Paul Gilfillan, a director of Direct Cabs in Sighthill, was reluctant to speak out about the brazen attack, which happened in broad daylight on Sunday afternoon.

But he said: "Things have changed in Edinburgh. New people have recently come into the city and are buying up private hire taxi companies.

"I don't feel comfortable speaking out about this.We run a legitimate business here and don't want any trouble. We'll leave it up to the authorities to deal with."

Five Skoda Octavias, a Mercedes Benz and a Renault Laguna were damaged by the thug who was caught on the firm's CCTV.

Mr Walker said: "It was clear someone had deliberately targeted the private hire taxis as other cars without taxi plates had not been touched.

"The police said they would look into it but a lot of the drivers are worried sick it could be the beginning of a serious turf war."

Justice secretary Kenny MacAskill wants to make it easier for councils to limit the number of private hires on the road in a bid to crack down on money-laundering.

Unlike black hacks, there is no limit on the number of private hire licences councils give out.

They can only turn down applicants with criminal records.

A police spokeswoman said: "Investigations are continuing into the incident and we would appeal for any witnesses to come forward."
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