Ollie wrote:
"The main problem in Luton is that private hire cars haven't got a rank...
I believe that's a 'problem' everywhere
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| Author: | Ollie [ Thu May 12, 2005 1:30 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Fake cab' sex beast hunted |
Hire firms back police probe Worried cabbies have thrown their weight behind a police hunt for a sex pest driver who has dragged their name into the dirt. The police team are on the trail of a rogue driver who sexually assaulted a 32-year-old woman on Monday night. His victim climbed into his car in Chapel Street some time after 10.30pm, thinking it was a minicab. She asked him to take her home – but he pulled up in Portland Road and attacked her. After her ordeal she managed to escape and run home before alerting the police. She can't describe the car and didn't check the driver's ID, but says he was an Asian man, of large build, aged in his early 30s. He had black slicked back hair and sideburns and wore dark coloured trousers and a zip-up cardigan. It's not the first black mark against the town's cab trade in recent weeks – only a fortnight ago we reported how a drunken teenage passenger was terrorised and then dumped in the countryside after falling foul of a driver who still hasn't been traced. But Luton firms stress that these dodgy drivers are in the minority, and that customers and cabbies need to work together to ensure everyone is safe. Rob Hills from Wellington Street's Area Cars said: "Of course incidents like this affect us – and I hope they catch him. "The main problem in Luton is that private hire cars haven't got a rank, and our company doesn't pick up people who flag down cars. "Because of the number of one way systems in the town we meet the customers in different places that might not be so public. For example, we can't pick up people from the Park Square roundabout but black cabs can. "So some people just go to places where they know some cabs will be waiting and can flag one down, which they shouldn't do. If we had a rank with taxi boxes they can get a docket and you will be able to trace the driver easier." Dave Lilley, from Leagrave's Spearhead Cars, said: "Our drivers aren't allowed to pick up anybody who hasn't booked through the office. Our cabs have signs on the roof and on the side doors so they will know they've got the right cab. "I know when they've had a few drinks people get into any old cab and not think about it – it's worrying, but we have to combat it. You should check it's the right cab by asking for the name it's booked under and looking at the driver's licence." Police are also urging passengers to be careful when getting into taxis and to always know how they're getting home. Det Chief Insp Peter Orr says the recently-launched Get Home Safe campaign is designed to remind people that only traditional taxis can be flagged down, while private hire vehicles are only legally allowed to carry fares if they are pre booked. He said: "What has happened to this woman is very frightening and a serious reminder to all women to think twice before getting into a car that is not a hackney carriage taxi, unless it's a pre-booked arrangement with a reputable private hire company. "We urge everyone to be sensible when trying to get home after a night out and if you have a friend who is going home alone, please check that they have firm arrangements in place before letting them wander out into the night. "There are a large number of professional registered private hire companies and hackney carriage companies operating in the town. Please make sure you make use of them rather than rely on spur of the moment opportunities. Don't let a good night out end in disaster." Anyone who recognises the description or saw the victim get into a car outside the takeaway in Chapel Street or escape in Portland Road should contact DC Melanie Turrall at Luton CID in confidence, on 01582 394324 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. |
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| Author: | TDO [ Thu May 12, 2005 8:19 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Fake cab' sex beast hunted |
Ollie wrote: "The main problem in Luton is that private hire cars haven't got a rank... I believe that's a 'problem' everywhere
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| Author: | GBC [ Thu May 12, 2005 8:29 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
Why do Private Hire need ranks, by virtue of their name, it would indicate that all their work is pre-booked at an office, so they turn up at the appointed time and bob's your uncle. Why, again, in Luton do the private hire cars need giant roof signs (and i mean giant), signs on both doors, and plates on the back? Anyone would think their drivers are trying to provoke people into flagging them down on the street? (surely not) I note all the owners are quick to point out 'not our drivers, not us.....' 
Surely a plate and a simple door notice would suffice?
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| Author: | TDO [ Thu May 12, 2005 8:33 pm ] |
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greenbadgecabby wrote: Why do Private Hire need ranks, by virtue of their name, it would indicate that all their work is pre-booked at an office, so they turn up at the appointed time and bob's your uncle.
Why, again, in Luton do the private hire cars need giant roof signs (and i mean giant), signs on both doors, and plates on the back? Anyone would think their drivers are trying to provoke people into flagging them down on the street? (surely not) I note all the owners are quick to point out 'not our drivers, not us.....' Surely a plate and a simple door notice would suffice? Well I certainly think that practice should be uniform throughout the country, but with 400-odd LAs all doing their own thing then the chances of that happening are pretty remote. |
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