Taxi Driver Online

Assumed this was a rank ruckus when I saw the headline, but seems it's another press report which uses 'taxi rank' to mean a despatch office


Granddad who 'wouldn't hurt a fly' viciously beaten in unprovoked taxi rank attack in Prestwich

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk ... i-20759923

'It's upsetting that he was defenceless when it happened'


Image: Manchester Evening News/Victoria Walker

A granddad who “wouldn’t hurt a fly” has been left battered and bruised after being violently set upon in an unprovoked attack in Prestwich.

Alan Walker suffered cuts and severe bruising following the assault, at a taxi rank in the early hours of Sunday morning (June 6).

The 68-year-old was working in a locked staff area behind a screen when the incident happened.

Mr Walker was well into his night shift when a man came in asking for a taxi at around 12.30am.

Due to it being a busy evening, there were no more vehicles available.

Mr Walker explained there were no taxis free at that time but the customer decided to stay at the offices.

Around 10 minutes later, he said the customer approached the screen and asked where his taxi was.

Mr Walker calmly explained again that no taxis would be available for some time.

He says the customer then “went bananas” and kicked down the door separating the staff office and public area.

He began punching the grandfather-of-one – who suffers with a chronic heart disease – repeatedly in his head and body.

To protect himself, Mr Walker, who helps out at the Poppythorn Lane rank several times a week to keep himself active, says he let the man beat him.

The incident led to him suffering an angina attack.

The customer, who has been described as a stocky white man aged between 50 and 60, with a bald/shaved head and tattooed arms, then left the rank.

Mr Walker was left with cuts and bruises to his head and a large bruise on his arm.

His family say he could have suffered a heart attack during the terrifying ordeal.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, his daughter, Victoria Walker, said: “We’re just really saddened by it.

"It’s sad that such a kind and gentle dad and grandad has been attacked for no reason because the guy couldn’t get a taxi.

“That’s what it boils down to.”

Mr Walker was taken to hospital for checks and has been left “shaken” by the incident.

He no longer feels comfortable working at the taxi rank and is unsure when he can return.

Victoria, 37, continued: “He’s a meek and mild man; he wouldn’t hurt a fly.

“He said he protected his body and just let him hit him. He was really worried about his expensive glasses as well.

“He’s had chronic heart disease since he was 49, he’s 68 now. He could have had a heart attack.

“He said he doesn’t feel comfortable going back at the moment. It’s a real shame but he said it keeps him active. It keeps him young – he likes talking to people.

“It’s upsetting that he was defenceless when it happened.”

“He had to allow this man to hit him and that’s not a nice thing to think about, never mind your elderly father.”

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: "Officers were called to reports of an assault at Poppythorn Lane, Prestwich, that occurred at around 12.30am on June 6, 2021.

"Three men tried to book a taxi and one has then assaulted a 68-year-old employee, who needed hospital treatment for cuts and bruises to his head and ear.

"The offender is described as approximately 60 years old, white, around 5ft 9in tall with a muscular build, bald, tattoos down his arms and wearing white T-shirt.

"Enquiries are ongoing and there have been no arrests."

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 8172, quoting incident 1322 of 06/06/2021.

Anyone with information can also report online or by using the LiveChat function at www.gmp.police.uk.

Alternatively, call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Also came across this from 2018 about the same office, which also calls it a 'taxi rank'

Article seems familiar, but can't find it on here, and don't often read articles anywhere else.

Anyway, seems like a great place


Woman offers £1,000 reward after being 'knocked out' at Prestwich taxi rank

https://www.burytimes.co.uk/news/172800 ... taxi-rank/


Image: Bury Times

A WOMAN has been left afraid to go out after being attacked while waiting for a taxi on a night out.

Hollie Talbot, aged 23, suffered a broken leg in three places after being punched by a man outside the Magnum Whiteline base, off Poppythorn Lane, in Prestwich, on Saturday night.

She has since undergone surgery, which has resulted in her having 12 bolts and two metal plates in her leg.

Ms Talbot, who lives in Melrose Road, Radcliffe, is now offering a £1,000 reward to anyone who can identify her attacker.

Prior to the attack, the travel agent had been enjoying a night out with a friend at the Orange Tree pub.

The pair then decided to head into Manchester at about 11pm to continue their evening.

“The taxi rank is just around the corner so we walked round,” Ms Talbot explained.

“We were waiting for a taxi outside and my friend asked a member of staff if she could use the toilet.

“A girl got involved and her boyfriend turned around and smacked my friend in the face.

“I asked what he was doing and he whacked me full force in the face and knocked me out.

“I fell and snapped my leg in three places.”

Ms Talbot says that after attacking her, the man got into a taxi, leaving her lying in the street.

Two other people who were also waiting for a taxi rushed to her aid, and helped her on to a bench.

She describes the man as being about 5ft 8, with brown hair, and wearing a khaki grey jacket.

He was reported to be with a female with shoulder length white or blonde hair, and a black leather jacket.

Ms Talbot has since taken to Facebook to issue an appeal for witnesses, which has been shared nearly 500 times.

She said: “There were people waiting for a taxi at the time so there were witnesses there who saw what happened.

“No one seems to know who it is.

“It was a random attack. I was not drunk at the time, I had had a bottle of Prosecco with my friend.

“I do not want to go out anymore. I am scared.”

Police have been contacted.

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Rough area !

I have a feeling that it was not far from there that there was the incident of taxis being lured to dead end locations and getting attacked and robbed (5 years ago ?)

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Surely they must have CCTV in the office?

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IDFIMH

Office certainly a bit of a toilet.

No, seriously, it's an old 'public convenience', as can be seen more clearly on the Google grab below.

But probably wouldn't be called a public convenience these days, and doubt you'd get away with Ladies and Gentlemen either

But certainly looks like there's a CCTV camera outside, if not inside, although looks like the last Streetview taken in 2008.

But Magnum Whiteline seems to be a big operation, and I'm guessing this is some kind of satellite office for walk-up work.

So presumably they'll have all the latest security equipment. But you never know...