Taxi boss: Rise in domestic violence by cabbies is council's fault The bizarre claim was made by Charles Oaks, boss of Hackney Drivers Association Ltd, who has written to Bury council threatening legal action over ‘too tough’ safety rules which he says is leaving his members out of pocket 
Charles Oaks
A cab boss has sparked outrage after blaming strict council rules for an increase in domestic abuse by drivers.
The bizarre claim was made by Charles Oaks, boss of Hackney Drivers Association Ltd, who has written to Bury council threatening legal action over ‘too tough’ safety rules which he says is leaving his members out of pocket.
In a letter to the town hall’s licensing panel Mr Oaks slams the so-called ‘five faults rule’ for black cabs that are more than 10 years old.
The rules – just enforced in Bury – bans hackney carriages from the road if they have more than five things wrong with them.
Mr Oaks says it is ‘killing’ the trade in the town.
He claims the policy goes too far because even minor faults, such as a bulb going on the dashboard, are included among the five rules.
And his letter says domestic violence is on the increase – because of the lack of money being earned by drivers whose cars are taken off the road.
But Sian Millward from Manchester Women’s Aid, a charity that cares for women suffering domestic abuse, said: “There is no evidence to show any link between domestic violence and financial hardship.
“There are high-profile cases like that of Charles Saatchi who has plenty of money.
“The only cause of domestic abuse is the desire to have power over someone you are in a relationship with.”
In his letter, Mr Oaks, who represents hundreds of drivers in Bury, Bolton and
Oldham, says: “Our members say ... it is also causing financial hardship not only to drivers but there [sic] families, and domestic violence is on the increase cased [sic] by the lack of money being earned, to which the councils [sic] policy’s [sic] are being blamed.”
The letter threatens legal action and a ‘go-slow’ protest through Bury town centre if the rule is not withdrawn – as well as demanding more testing stations and action to stop motorists parking at taxi ranks.
The chairman of the council’s licensing committee also condemned Mr Oaks’ claims – dismissing any link between financial hardship and domestic violence.
Coun David Jones said: “The first priority of us as a licensing authority is that taxi customers travel in a safety and comfort – that is our top priority.
“To try and make a link between council policy and domestic violence is demeaning to people.”
Mr Oaks denied ‘condoning’ domestic violence, saying it was a ‘fact of life.
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