Taxi Driver Online

Taxpayers fund taxi rides home for drinkers in police crackdown on violence after pubs close


Police are set to use taxpayers’ cash to give drinkers free taxi rides home - in a bid to cut down on late-night street violence.

Officers believe the controversial scheme to combat thugs will lead to a significant cut in crime and anti-social behaviour.

Councillors in the market town of in Watton, Norfolk, backed the initiative to crack down on attacks and yobbish behaviour.

The town council has itself pledged £350 to help fund a three-month trial.

The money will pay for for fares home of up to £6 after the late-opening pubs shut at 1am.

Sgt Lance Ogbourne told councillors that free cabs would take revellers home on Friday and Saturday nights.

He said: ‘This will remove many of the stragglers left over from the pub.

These people would not normally take a taxi, they would normally walk.

‘It is these people who are susceptible to incidents of crime and can cause criminal damage.’

The council in Watton - population 6,500 - backed the plan unanimously.

But one member, Alf Harvey, was concerned it might actually encourage youngsters to drink too much if they knew they had a free ride home.
Others also voiced concerns, but said the scheme was worth trialing.

Mayor Margaret Holmes said: ‘On balance we feel this is a good thing - especially if it helps protect young women who are sometimes left drunk and vulnerable.

‘Some people will say that if they have got the money to drink then why can’t they pay for a taxi?

‘But that is not the way of the world.’

And Councillor Barbara Anderson said: ‘As one of the elderly in Watton I do not expect anyone to pay for my taxis but I am not anti this.’

Conrad Sellers, who runs Home James Taxis in the town, welcomed the move.

He added: ‘There can be problems like fights after the pubs and take-aways shut.

‘It is a 20-minute walk back to some of the estates and there is often vandalism and a lot of noise.

‘We are kept pretty busy most Friday and Saturday nights and 80 per cent of our work is in the town itself.’


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z0T3zgebSS

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

These people are probably the ones that taxi drivers won't take because they are too drunk.

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Grandad,

Cant the police take them home...after all they have the easy swill out vans with mesh cages built in....and theyre paid mega bucks.

What right thinking Driver would ever take home someone that the police had turned down for arrest..

Depends how much work you have.

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

£350 to help That would be for one night then if word gets out

What a load of boll**ks!
Either save enough for a cab or walk.It's quite simple.

I can't afford a meal in the best restaurant in town,do you think I should write to my council?

Just a flash in the pan..next year and another government and different Ideaoligies..