Taxi driver held at knifepoint by Bulwell gangA TAXI driver says he is quitting his job after a group of thugs held him at knifepoint and beat him up for £400.
The father-of-one had pulled up in Nine Acre Gardens, Bulwell, and was waiting for a passenger when he was attacked at around 12.15am on June 5.
A group of about five men approached the private hire vehicle and jumped in.
Three sat in the back while two more went to the front of the taxi – where one pulled out a knife.
The 45-year-old taxi driver, who asked not to be named for fear of repercussions, said: "One held a knife to my throat and asked for money – it was the scariest moment of my life.
"When there's a knife at your throat you don't have time to think. I had both hands round the knife trying to get it away from my throat. I don't think I'll ever drive taxis again – I just want a safe life."
He handed over around £300 in notes to the group of attackers, who then spotted the change bag on the taxi driver.
The thieves cut his head, punched him in the face and grabbed the bag, which contained about £100, before they fled.
The driver, who had worked for County Cars for two years, called the police and received treatment at the Queen's Medical Centre.
The cut to his head needed six stitches.
He said: "I'm still shaken. I thought I might die."
Bryan Roland, general secretary of the Private Hire Association there were many more taxi drivers that have been attacked in the last month – and with the number of incidents on the rise he fears there will be even more in coming months.
"It's absolutely massive," he said. "It's getting worse and worse. I think Nottingham is one of the worst places for it."
There is no clear explanation for why taxi drivers are increasingly coming under attack, but Mr Roland believes the start of the rise in number of incidents coincides with when bars and clubs were allowed to extend their opening hours, which he said has led to people drinking much more than they used to on a night out.
"Ever since the alcohol freedom act came in and people can drink until dawn the absolutely clear evidence is that the association's drivers are the ones that are suffering for it," he said.
"It's the only explanation I can offer for this level of stupid and horrific attacks."
More than 230 reports of taxi drivers across the country being attacked have been received by the Private Hire Association this year. Last year 170 drivers were attacked.
Police confirmed they were investigating the incidents, but could not give any figures for the number of attacks on taxi drivers in Notts.
Anyone with information about the incident should contact DC Rachel Woodford on 101.
Alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
source:
http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/Taxi- ... story.html
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