Taxi firms go on strike across Burton after attack on driver
Top taxi firms across Burton launched a two-night strike in the town after a driver was attacked. The taxi firm 43 Taxis has been supported by some of the largest cab companies in the town by striking on Saturday and again tonight.
It comes after one of its taxi drivers was punched and kicked to his head and body on Good Friday night in a dispute about a £6 fare. In response, taxi drivers around Burton stopped their engines on Saturday and are expected to tonight - two of the busiest days of the year.
Faisle Rashid, owner of 43 Taxis, said: "My driver picked up the customer and his girlfriend at about 4am in Newton Road to go to Stanton Road. They had a dispute about the £6 fare.
"The driver was trying to ring the office and the customer snatched the phone from him and threw it out the window. The driver then got out to fetch his phone and the customer came up behind him, gripped him by his throat and starting punching and kicking him to his head and body."
Staffordshire Police says it is liaising with all parties concerned and is regularly updating the victim. But Mr Rashid says he and his colleagues are unhappy with the police response to the incident and says this is what has prompted the strike action. He claims the police told the victim to attend Burton police station two days after the incident to be interviewed and believes his driver should not have to wait to be interviewed by officers.
He added: "We called the police and they said come down to the police station in two days for an interview which is absolutely unacceptable. We decided to have a strike on Saturday night and told police that if no arrests were made by 10am on Sunday then we would strike again tonight. We know the customer, he has been using us for about four or five years and is normally OK."
Mr Rashid says he has not been informed of any arrests that have yet been made as of this morning (April 17). He says the support from other taxi firms in the area since the incident has been unanimous.
"The reaction from other taxi firms is that they stand behind us," Mr Rashid said. "This cannot be allowed to happen.
"My driver is banged up. He has bruises over his head and leg and has a black eye. He has cuts and his jaw has moved out of place. He will be off work for at least a month."
iCars was one of the other major taxi firms which confirmed it had joined the strike. Staffordshire Police have been contacted for comment.
A spokesman for Staffordshire Police said: "We are aware of a protest which took place on Horninglow Street in Burton last night April 16. Officers from the neighbourhood policing team have been liaising with local taxi companies, community leaders and the local authority to discuss the concerns raised. An investigation into an assault reported to the force on Friday, April 15, is on-going and the victim is being regularly updated."
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