Taxi Driver Online

More about anti-social behaviour than taxis really, but raises interesting question about fare refusals to dodgy areas, but unfortunately the article brushes over this.

Now taxis are boycotting Orchard Park as drivers have eggs thrown at cars and windows put through

https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hu ... rk-2466716

Peter Nilsson has spoken out


Image: Hull Daily Mail

The chairman of a taxi association has said he and his drivers are boycotting Orchard Park after a recent spate of shocking crimes dominating the area.

Intimidated residents have claimed youths on the Orchard Park estate in North Hull are "out of control" and are terrorising residents.

They said they have become prisoners in their own homes and shop workers are regularly taunted by a gang of up to 15 youths who steal items, ride bikes in stores and throw food at staff.

One even said the kids are "ruling the roost".

Stagecoach buses have even been forced to divert away from the area after several vehicles had their windows smashed by youths throwing bricks, stones and metal poles at the vehicles.

Meanwhile, Humberside Police have arrested five youths for 23 offences over the past two weeks and are working with residents to reassure them and bring a stop to antisocial behaviour.

And now, Peter Nilsson, chairman of the Hackney Carriage Association, says he has had enough and has told his drivers to avoid the area completely.

He said: "I have been monitoring the situation for the past three weeks and looking on social media to see what has been going on down there and I know drivers have had their windows put through and the risks are too high.

"It can cost up to £100 to repair paint work. I've spoken with licensing and made them aware and they have advised us not to take jobs there and if anyone wants to go there in the day, then it is at the driver's discretion."

Mr Nilsson said that by boycotting the area he is going against regulations and could face prosecution but he said "the driver's and customer's safety comes first".

He added there are times when outbreaks like this happen, but believes the Orchard Park situation is "getting worse".

He said: "It keeps happening and you can't drive down there on a night. If it was just the once or twice then we could work around it.

"We have had to draw a line and it isn't something we've done lightly. I don't want to stop people getting taxis down there but until Hull City Council and the police get together and become more proactive and the area is safe then we don't want to go down there.

"We want to provide a service to everyone but we're not prepared to take that risk.

"A couple of years ago a taxi driver had his window down and a brick went through and hit him, and another time one went through and hit a baby in a pram - I don't want that happening again.

"One of my concerns is that a driver gets hit and then you've got a big vehicle moving at 30 miles per hour that has to stop somewhere and it could hit someone or another car."

Mr Nilsson said the issue on Orchard Park needs sorting.

He said: "There's too much risk and until it gets sorted out we can't drive down there. Buses are having to divert because they are getting targeted and I have spoken with Stagecoach about it.

"It's an area that isn't really a cut through or lead to anywhere so if we drive through there it is to drop someone off.

"Doing this we are limiting people's movements but what are we supposed to do? The threat is everywhere and is that high."

Mr Nilsson reiterated his main concern is the safety of his drivers and customers when travelling through Orchard Park.

He said: "I represent 170 drivers and we want to get them, and our customers, home safe. You will always get an idiot who is a risk and we will deal with that but this is different when they are doing it all of the time.

"It's not about the money for us, this will cost us money if we refuse jobs and we're losing work but that is outweighed by the safety of our drivers and I don't want our customers getting into my car and getting hurt.

"It is my job to get people home safe but at this moment in time we cannot say that for certain."


Image: Hull Daily Mail

What Humberside Police say

A spokesman for Humberside Police said: "We are investigating the report of a taxi having an egg thrown at it as it travelled along Greenwood Avenue in Hull at around 12.30pm on Wednesday 23 January.

"The taxi driver called us to report the incident at 6.15pm by which time he had taken the car to be cleaned.

"Following recent concerns of anti-social behaviour on the Orchard Park Estate we are pleased that the taxi driver took the time to report this incident and we would like to provide the reassurance that we have recently made five arrests in connection with over 20 offences.

"We hope that if more people are able to share their experiences with us we can address issues of ASB, find those responsible and deal with them appropriately."

If anyone has any information regarding the attack on the taxi in Greenwood Avenue, call police on 101, quoting log 23/01/19.

Yesterday, police revealed that they had arrested five teenagers between the ages of 14 and 17 for 23 antisocial behaviour offences, including public order, criminal damage, harassment and theft.

At the time, they stressed it is only a minority of teenagers causing problems and they do not class their behaviour as "gang" culture.

Communities Chief Inspector Lee Edwards said most youths' behaviour in the area is simply akin to socialising with friends, but he reassured the public they are working to combat and rehabilitate young troublemakers.

He said: "We know that the majority of the residents of Orchard Park are decent, law abiding citizens and I appreciate the impact that antisocial behaviour (ASB) can have for those people.

"I want to reassure you that we are out and about in your community and will continue to be so and to work with you to ensure that Orchard Park remains a great place to live and work. North Hull can be a busy area for us, however we have a strong team in place who know the area well and regularly talk to residents and take proportionate action to address their concerns and reduce incidents of this nature.

"We do see increases in reports of ASB at certain times of the year, particularly during the school holidays. Children and young people will meet with friends and hang out in groups near to shops, parks and other local landmarks.

“I appreciate that this can sometimes feel intimidating and most of the time they are just socialising with friends and not causing any harm or committing any offences. However, I do recognise there is a small group of teenagers who are causing problems for the rest of the residents in the area.

“We want people to feel safe in the area and confident to leave their homes without having any concerns and I want to offer my assurance, where offences are committed we will investigate and take appropriate and proportionate action."

Anyone ever heard of action being taken against drivers for this kind of thing? Of course, no one should have to go to a genuinely risky area, but would be a good excuse not to take undesirable fares

There is no section in any act that says drivers must service certain areas.

If drivers don't feel safe for themselves or their motors in an area, then that area should be blanked.

And if anyone doesn't like it, then they can go f*** themselves.

_________________
IDFIMH

I assume he's talking about a public hire scenario, thus within the boundary they couldn't refuse it unless it comes under the 'other good reason' exception to the rule.

Thus I suspect potentially quite a grey area.

I now get what you mean.

I doubt a driver could refuse a reasonable person, from a rank, solely down to where that reasonable person wants to go. Provided it's in the licensing area.

Whereas they could refuse to pick up in that area.

_________________
IDFIMH

The way I see it, you should do a risk assessment of every job you pick-up, whether that be a wheelchair, a drunk or a heavy luggage. If you’re concerned that your vehicle may be attacked possibly causing an accident, that’s a reason to refuse. Let the council take action against you and take your chances in the magistrates court. I think the fact that 5 louts have already been arrested for ASB in the area strengthens your case.

Orchard Park in the news again. And Hull is never out of it. But no mention of the possible legal issues surrounding any possible fare refusals this time, just the anti-social behaviour etc.

But pity it wasn't a women driver - no doubt that in Hull the car would have avoided a bricking


Terrified taxi driver 'will never return to Orchard Park' as gang of 30 attack his car

https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hu ... er-2766436

Steve Brown feared for his safety and was left horrified


Image: Hull Daily Mail

An angry Hull taxi driver has vowed never to return to Orchard Park after a gang of youths hurled bricks at his car.

Steve Brown feared for his safety when a gang of around 30 kids, aged between 12 and 17 years old, "bricked" his taxi in Thorpepark Road after he had dropped off a passenger at 8pm on Monday.

It was a number of attacks on passing cars by the group in the north Hull estate on Monday evening - with a fellow motorist's windscreen smashed through.

Mr Brown, who has been in the taxi business for more than 30 years, says he has never experienced such an attack and was left frightened and intimidated.

"I was driving slowly along Thorpepark Road as there's a load of speed bumps around there, when suddenly I heard a bang in the car and thought I'd hit something," he said.

"But then I saw a gang of around 30 kids all dressed in hoodies - there were that many of them that it looked like they had just been let out of school at the end of the day - and they were hurling bricks at my car.

"One of the bricks hit my door trim on the passenger side, but if it had been a couple of inches higher it would have smashed through the window.

"If I had a passenger in my car, it would have been a whole different kettle of fish as who the hell knows what would have gone on.

"I pulled over and rang the police on 999 to report what happened but I felt so frightened and intimidated and too scared to leave the car, so after five minutes of waiting around I had to leave as the gang came to where I was pulled up and started throwing the bricks again."


Image: Hull Daily Mail

Mr Brown's taxi is new and worth more than £10,000, and he was particularly angered at the damage the bricks caused.

He worries that if he was to return to the north Hull estate, worse harm would be done to his car and even himself or a passenger, so he is refusing jobs in the area.

"I've been bricked just going about my business and it's completely not on," said Mr Brown.

"In all my time of working in the taxi industry, nothing has happened like this before to me and there's absolutely no need for it - it's senseless criminal damage.

"My car is my work and if it gets damaged, it's me that's out of pocket.

"I really don't know what's going on there, but I'm boycotting Orchard Park now and returning any jobs back to the office if they get sent my way.

"I'm not going on that estate again, not even in the day as I just don't feel safe".

'This behaviour is in no way funny or clever'

Responding to the attack, Neighbourhoods Chief Inspector Lee Edwards said: “I am aware of reports last night that a group of children were throwing things at passing cars at the junction of Ashthorpe and Thorpepark Road in Hull around 8pm.

“Officers quickly attended and when they arrived the group ran off. A passing Audi car was struck by a stone and the windscreen cracked. No one was hurt, but we are investigating to find those responsible.

“A dispersal order was imposed in the area overnight to give powers to my officers to remove any youths from coming back to that area and causing any further problems.

“This kind of behaviour is in no way funny or clever. It’s dangerous, unacceptable, and antisocial. We will find those responsible."

Mr Brown is not the only taxi driver to have complained of the gang culture in Orchard Park in recent months. At the turn of the year, residents spoke of youths "ruling the roost", hanging around shops, intimidating neighbours and generally being a nuisance.

Buses were forced to divert and fellow taxi drivers boycotted the north Hull estate after they were targeted and had their windows put through.

Residents called on the police and council to take action on groups of youths on bikes who were hanging around the area, causing problems for those just simply wanting to do a daily shop.

And following on from weeks of increased police activity in the estate, which saw more than 2,000 homes visited as part of the police's 'Humber Talking' initiative, Chf Insp Edwards promised residents that officers would not relent.

“As part of our ongoing work in north Hull we have regular patrols in the areas which we know can attract such individuals.

"I ensure that we have extra officers on patrol when and where they're needed.

“We have had some good feedback recently about our work in north Hull, and have been told that people feel the area is a good place to live.

“We’ve not only spoken directly with residents and business owners while on patrol but also through our Humber Talking initiative.

“Our ongoing and future work by our committed officers will make sure that it remains that way for the majority of people living there. We’ll continue to work with the council, community groups, businesses and schools to address any concerns people have.”

Community projects in Orchard Park

Alongside police, many community youth projects in the area are also working tirelessly to help the community's youngsters to deter them from a life of crime and antisocial behaviour.

City centre projects have made their way out to Orchard Park and are providing solutions-based answers to a problem that residents are fed up of.

These projects include a long-running boxing club, a breakfast for families run by volunteers, a well-loved youth club and an engagement project wanting to show people brilliant art and events.

Taxi boss bans drivers from Orchard Park after yet another senseless attack

https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hu ... rk-2782405

Peter Nilsson said the estate is now a 'no go area' for his drivers

The head of a taxi-driving association has put a complete ban on his drivers going to Orchard Park after yet another senseless attack by teenagers on the north Hull estate.

Peter Nilsson, chair of the Hackney Carriage Association, said one of his drivers was on Hall Road at 4.30pm on Saturday, April 20, when his window was smashed with a brick that had been thrown by a teenager.

Last month, Mr Nilsson said he warned drivers about going through Orchard Park and north Hull after a spate of attacks on taxis and buses.

Now, though, he has said the latest incident means he is enforcing a complete ban on the area.

He said: "The brick went straight through and could have hit him in the face. He has lost that night's wages, Sunday's and Monday's because of it while he tries to get it sorted over Easter weekend but another driver who the same thing happened to cannot get his sorted until Tuesday.

"Last month I advised the drivers to make a decision on whether they should serve Orchard Park but now we are saying not to go there. It's putting our safety and the safety of our customer's at risk."

Mr Nilsson said he has had enough of the abuse taxi drivers and buses are getting in the area and wants something done about it.

Since the attacks started, Humberside Police said they have upped patrols to take action on the groups of youths causing problems.

Following on from weeks of increased police activity in the estate, which saw more than 2,000 homes visited as part of the police's "Humber Talking" initiative, Chief Inspector Lee Edwards promised residents that officers would not relent.

But Mr Nilsson says he feels the problem is as bad as ever.

He said: "The council have said it is an exaggeration but they don't have a clue what is going on. I've had to contact our licensing department to see if there is anything they can do.

"We've been in close contact with the bus companies because they have been attacked.

"The police have said they have posted letters and knocked on doors but the problems are getting worse and are getting no better. It does seem worse in the holidays but it is often this is happening.

"Things like this happen everywhere but not like this. I would say the kids are out of control - what is going to stop them?

"These kids are as young as 12 and are just running the streets from morning to night. No one cares. It's only a matter of time before vigilantes start sorting it and the police will go out to get them."

Just last week a fellow driver, Steve Brown, said he was fearful of returning to Orchard Park after a gang of 30 attacked his car and "bricked" his taxi in Thorpepark Road.

And Mr Nilsson said he had no choice but to ban his drivers from going to the estate for their own safety.

"The worst part of being the chairman of the association is me having to say to drivers 'Don't take customers to that area because you may not get there safe.' It is so sad," he said.

"I've been doing this 21 years and it is the first time it has been said that somewhere is a no go area. We are having to turn jobs away. People don't come out to work to get a brick thrown at their heads.

"It is like they are trying to shut down the estate and at the moment in time they are succeeding because no one is doing anything."

Not clear who precisely he's banning and how that can be enforced.

Suspect it's in reality little more than advice to members of the HCA.

And if it's public hire jobs he's saying are being 'turned away' then that gets back to the interesting issue of whether that's legal.

I do not think it is unreasonable to turn down a public hire on the grounds that you fear for safety and that of your vehicle,the proof of this for the area in question is well documented.

Might not be unreasonable (in these circumstances) to a certain destination, but I think it would be unreasonable not to take them to the edge of the dodgy area.

_________________
IDFIMH

Maybe took your advice...


Terrified woman forced to walk half a mile in the dark because taxi refused to enter Orchard Park

https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hu ... rk-2806370

Rebecca Garner had to walk half-a-mile by herself in the middle of the night

A woman says she was forced to walk half a mile in the dark because the taxi driver refused to go onto Orchard Park in case his cab got smashed up.

Rebecca Garner says she was left scared and alone after the driver dropped her off before entering the estate after she hailed down his black hackney carriage outside the taxi point in Alfred Gelder Street just after midnight on Saturday.

She says the driver was at first willing to take her home to Orchard Park but half way through the journey he told her he could not go any further because he was "banned" as it is too dangerous for drivers.

“I begged him to take me home but he kept telling me he couldn’t take the risk in case his taxi got smashed up,” said Miss Garner, 28.

“I had had a few drinks and I felt really vulnerable, and I didn’t want to upset him by kicking off. I’m not that sort of person – I wouldn’t hurt a fly.

“But he made me get out at Thorpepark Academy and I live the other end in Ilthorpe. I was absolutely terrified.”

Earlier this week, it was reported the Taxi Association had put a complete ban on drivers going to Orchard Park after a window was smashed with a brick among numerous other attacks on taxis and buses by gangs of youths.

Head of the association Peter Nilsson has apologised to Rebecca through Hull Live and is urging drivers to "assess each situation individually".

Miss Garner says she was still charged the £10 taxi fare by the driver, who drove off as soon as she got out, leaving her to pick up her belongings off the floor after she had dropped them in fear.

She was then forced to walk the half-a-mile home along Thorpepark Road in the middle of the night, taking her 10 minutes in the darkness.

“I couldn’t get my heart to calm down”, said Miss Garner, who had been out in Old Town with a group of work friends.

“I kept dropping my bag because I was looking all around me and when I finally got home, I woke my mum up and just started crying.

“I was mugged in the same street a couple of years ago and I ended up in hospital, so my anxiety was through the roof.

“My mum was absolutely disgusted when I told her what happened. What if I hadn’t made it home because he was too bothered about his car?

“I would never have left somebody like that.”

Miss Garner had waited with friends while the taxi arrived, taking the journey alone as others were heading home to Withernsea and east Hull.

She did not get the name or the registration of the driver who took her. Now, she wants to warn others heading to Orchard Park in unbooked taxis.

“I thought I was safe because they’re all licensed and they’re proper taxis but I will never use one again," she said.

“Why did he agree to take me in the first place?

“I’m nearly 30 but what if it happened to younger kids who were less sure of themselves? How would they have reacted?

“I was absolutely terrified because you never know what’s around the corner.”

Mr Nilsson said he was "truly sorry" and that he does not "want people to be left anywhere".

In a statement, he added: "Our advice to drivers is to assess the situation and decide whether they want to take the risk. This will be our stance until the police and the council deal with this situation.

"I am truly sorry it has come to this but until we can guarantee the safety of our drivers and their customers, this is what has to happen."

Humberside Police continue their crackdown on antisocial behaviour on the estate, with upped patrols, numerous arrests being made and 2,000 homes visited by officers as part of the 'Humber Talking' initiative.

In a statement issued last week, Neighbourhoods Chief Inspector Lee Edwards said the force will not relent in their fight against criminal and antisocial behaviour on the estate.

He said: “As part of our ongoing work in north Hull we have regular patrols in the areas which we know can attract such individuals.

"I ensure that we have extra officers on patrol when and where they're needed.

“Our ongoing and future work by our committed officers will make sure that it remains that way for the majority of people living there.

"We’ll continue to work with the council, community groups, businesses and schools to address any concerns people have.”

Taxi boss wants public to 'put pressure' on police and council so banned drivers can return to Orchard Park

https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hu ... ut-2809021

Drivers have been refusing fares to the Hull estate for fear of their safety

The chairman of Hackney Carriage Association wants to resolve issues with visiting Orchard Park “as quickly as possible”, but admits he needs the council and police to be “pressured” into sorting things out quicker.

Peter Nilsson has advised black cab drivers in the city to avoid travelling through Orchard Park and north Hull after a spate of attacks on taxis, including a brick being thrown the window of a car in the middle of the afternoon, and a “gang of 30” attacking another.

In the past week, drivers have been refusing fares to the Hull estate for fear of their safety, but Mr Nilsson admits it is not the situation they want to be in.

“Until we can guarantee the safety of our drivers and customers then this is the stance we will carry on taking”, said Mr Nilsson, who has previously spoken of the abuse taxi drivers and bus drivers have been receiving while servicing the area.

“This is not what we wanted to happen, but until Humberside Police and Hull City Council can come together in dealing with the culprits then I’m not prepared to risk the safety of our drivers and customers.

“The good people of Orchard Park can’t get transport, and taxi drivers are losing money, but safety comes first.”

Mr Nilsson says he has had close conversations with Chief Inspector Lee Edwards and the council’s licencing department in order to “hurry things along”, but he believes members of the public need to be adding pressure on the authorities to sort out the issues.

“We’re doing all we can with the matter, and I’m speaking all the time with the authorities to get a resolution and start serving the people of Orchard Park again”, he said.

“I would love to come back in a week and say everything was sorted and we would be back servicing Orchard Park, but I can’t see that happening with the way things are going at the moment.”

What Humberside Police say

In response, Chief Inspector Lee Edwards said: “We met with the chairman of the Hull Hackney Carriage Association last Wednesday to discuss the issues raised by taxi drivers about teenagers behaving antisocially in Orchard Park and to plan a way forward.

“We felt the meeting was productive with an agreement reached to set up a further tactical group with representatives from various organisations including Hull Hackney Carriage Association, Hull City Council and our local area Inspectors.

“The group will meet regularly to consider and coordinate responses to issues raised, to collectively problem solve and bring about long term and sustainable resolutions.

“We have since followed up with the chairman to ask him to provide his availability for us to progress further, as we are committed in resolving any issues and finding solutions.

“I do want to take this opportunity to offer my reassurance to the community that this is a priority for us and I completely understand the impact that this behaviour can have for those that live and work in Orchard Park.

“North Hull can be busy for us, however we have a strong and dedicated team in place who know Orchard Park well, regularly talking to residents and taking action to address their concerns.

“It is important to me that we continue to work with the local community to tackle issues and I would always encourage anyone with any information about criminality or antisocial behaviour to please get in touch with us.

“The local community policing team host regular police surgeries where residents are invited to come and speak to officers, providing us with an opportunity to listen to what is affecting people in their neighbourhood and how we can help."

Really.

_________________
IDFIMH

Couldn't quite get my head round where she said:



Yet she was terrified and seemed to be having a panic attack/heart palpitations?

But the driver should have at least told her up front that he could only take her to the edge of the estate. Of course, have occasionally been in situations where you say you won't do something, and the passenger agrees, then later on they demand that you do that something, and kick off if you don't.

Could well see some people agreeing with the driver that he'll only take them so far, but kicking off when they actually get there and expect the driver to take them all the way