Taxi passengers 'should not fear for their safety'Last week a Newport taxi driver was jailed for 12 years after preying on two vulnerable female passengers.
NATALIE CROCKETT, MICHAEL YONG and AILSA CHALK talked to Gwent taxi firms and police about how to stay safe when using taxis alone.
NEWPORT taxi driver Asif Iqbal, who was branded a “predator” by his victims, pleaded guilty to raping two female passengers he had picked up in the city.
Iqbal, 42, of Alice Street, wept in the dock as he was jailed for 12 years at Cardiff Crown Court by Judge David Wynn Morgan.
Judge Morgan said Iqbal, a licensed taxi driver in the city, abused the trust women place in taxi drivers “for the satisfaction of your sexual gratification”.
Following the sentencing, both of Iqbal’s victims said they were glad the case was over, but wanted to issue a warning to other women not to get into cabs on their own.
Newport Council’s outgoing community safety cabinet member William Routley said the council did background checks on all potential taxi drivers before issuing them licences.
He said: “We have a very good organisation in Newport taxi association and many good independent taxi operators. Look for the signs outside the cab for a licence. Use a regulated taxi firm, and use a licensed hackney cab.
Only use cabs which you can see clearly the Newport city logo on them, which they can understand and recognise.
“There are many ways to stay safe. If you can, travel in pairs.
Newport is not an unsafe place to be and taxis are still the safest way to travel here.
Andrew Barley, operations manager at Dragon Taxis in Newport, said the trade was united in its disbelief and anger at Iqbal’s actions, which had tainted a service the public rely on 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year.
He said the firm had been inundated with calls from regular customers who travel alone at night, worried that drivers were free to do as they please when they pick them up. Mr Barley said: “I would say that the vast majority of taxi drivers are good, honest people who want nothing more than to earn a living.
“The people of Newport and Gwent should not be afraid to get a taxi, but should choose one of the reputable companies and prebook to guarantee that they are getting a service they can rely on and trust.”
Lionel Morris, chairman of Newport Taxi Drivers Association, said the case had damaged the reputation of taxi drivers. He said: “This should not stop people taking taxis. It might plant in their minds the possibility of this happening again, and they have a right to think that way. Newport, in general, is very safe. It has been years since something like this happened. I certainly cannot remember this in my time here.”
Malik Haseeb Ahsan, association secretary of Newport Taxi Drivers Association, said: “I am so ashamed of his (Iqbal’s) actions. As a taxi driver you don’t feel comfortable about it. It could happen anywhere to anyone, and it has damaged our industry.
People still need to use taxis though, but it will affect our business.”
Darren Anderson, manager of ABC taxis, said: “We have two female drivers in fleet. We normally get about five to six requests a month for them, if they personally request for them.
We’ve had no trouble from our drivers. If we have any suspicions with them, they will not be here, they would be out the door. We’re also licensed by the council.”
Alan Lakey, 58, owner of Dial-acar taxis, said: “Every taxi driver is police checked, and if they are doing schools, they have to do an enhanced police check. I think they should all be enhanced checked.
“Usually the drivers we employ are people who we know or somebody else knows. The police are very thorough with their background checks.”
Rachel Kent, 42, proprietor of City Lion taxis, said: “Quite a few women are more cautious now to make sure they are with somebody or get a taxi from a proper operator.
“We do background checks on our drivers, and most of our drivers have been with the company for quite a few years.”
Rape victim calls for cameras in cabs SPEAKING after the sentencing, DC Laura Thomas from Gwent Police said: “This man may have committed other similar offences and I would welcome anyone else who believes they were a victim to come forward. We have specially trained officers who will be available for people to talk to.”
In an exclusive interview with the Argus, one of Iqbal’s victims said the attack made her feel “dirty” and “ashamed” and led to her showering five times a day, giving up her job, move house and trying to take her own life twice.
She said “I’m convinced he attacked other women as well”, adding: “Don’t be scared, the police are there for you. Be brave and think of others it may have happened to as well”
She is also calling for all taxis to be fitted with cameras. She said:”If all taxis had cameras, it would make it safer, not just for women against rape, but for other incidents like abuse and attacks.”
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Text to find nearest licensed taxi ALL five Gwent councils run the Cab Safe Scheme, which allows passengers to find out the closest licensed taxi operator.
Run in conjunction with Gwent Police, the service allows passengers to text ‘CAB’ to 83222, and a return text will list three licensed operators which the passenger can then call to arrange pick up. Each text costs 50p.
Newport Council also advises anyone travelling by taxi to look out for the Newport city council logo on the licence plate on the back of the taxi, together with the dashboard or windscreen inside the cab. They also recommend sitting in the back seat of taxis rather than the front.
Blaenau Gwent council warned passengers to make bookings only with licensed companies they know, and encouraged them to use the Cab Safe scheme.
A Blaenau Gwent spokesman said: “Tell a family member which company you have booked with and call them when you get in the taxi so they know when to expect you.
“Always sit in the back and keep your fully charged mobile in hand.
If in doubt, don’t get in.”
AMonmouthshire council spokesman said: “We advise members of the public to use licensed Hackney Carriage or Private Hire vehicles at all times, displaying taxi plates on the front and rear of the vehicle. All our drivers are assessed with an enhanced criminal record check before they are issued a licence. All drivers are required to display a badge when driving Private Hire and Hackney Carriage vehicles.”
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Try to remember simple safety steps SERGEANT Colin Thomas, of Gwent Police’s community safety team, said there were some basic, sensible things that people, particularly women, using taxis alone should try to remember.
He said: “Always try to use a reputable taxi company that either you or someone you know and trust has used before. If you are going to be out late, try to arrange a lift home or book a taxi. Check that the taxi that arrives is the one you ordered.
“Don’t get into a private hire vehicle unless you’ve booked the car in advance. Only Hackney Carriages are allowed to carry passengers who have hailed them on the street or at a rank.”
Sgt Thomas said people should avoid minicabs or private hirecars that tout for business or are unlicensed and try to always keep a number of a reliable firm hand. Licensed taxis will have a plate, separate from the registration plate, on the back of the car.
Sgt Thomas said: “If you are travelling alone or last out, sit in the back seat behind the driver.
If you feel uneasy at any point, ask to be let out in a well-lit area where there are a lot of people. If you have any doubts about using a particular taxi, make an excuse and do not get into the vehicle.”
http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/9 ... r_safety_/
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