Taxi Driver Online

But that's a bit different to what you said earlier

You made it sound like the trains weren't required because there are fewer passengers, but the reason they're being withdrawn is due to the staff shortages caused by the industrial action

Well it's kind of both.

The lack, or the reduced number, of punters is affecting the amount of money there is to fund a reasonable increase.

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IDFIMH

Transport minister here obviously feeling the pressure

And she's the one ultimately responsible for the LEZ stuff etc

But, of course, it's all the men's fault

https://twitter.com/i/status/1534538820506554369

Make a change from the English.

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IDFIMH

No sign of any direct trade involvement, so maybe this is the best thread for this

But obviously a taxi involved in some way, and GMP appealing for taxi driver evidence in particular (as highlighted).


Man fighting for life after brawl sparked by 'dispute involving a taxi'

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk ... l-24264173

“There was a short scuffle and he fell onto the ground where he hit his head."


Image: Manchester Evening News

A man is fighting for his life after extreme violence again returned to Bury town centre. He was punched by one person before a second kicked him, left, and then returned to film him as he lay bleeding.

The attack in Silver Street is believed to have been sparked following a dispute involving a taxi. The victim suffered a serious head injury and is in a critical condition. Detectives have launched an investigation after officers were alerted at 4am (June 18) to reports of a group of males and females fighting.

The man was punched and hit his head on the ground after falling, which was followed by another attacker kicking him, Greater Manchester Police said. On attending, officers found a man unconscious with head injuries and gave CPR. The victim, in his 30s was taken to hospital by the North West Ambulance Service where he remains.

One bartender who works near to where the attack happened said he saw a big brawl spill out onto the end of Silver Street, where it meets Bolton Street - opposite Wyldes pub. He said: “I saw a man who looked to be in his 30s involved in a big group fight. There was a short scuffle and he fell onto the ground where he hit his head. He was later taken away in an ambulance.

“I have heard that the man had bad head injuries.” A cordon remained in place until the early afternoon. A police van has remained at the scene since.

One Bury resident said: “I saw a police cordon here today and the whole end of Silver Street was closed off from this morning until the early afternoon. There were a couple of vans here so I think someone must have been badly injured.”

Another Bury local who witnessed the events believed the altercation happened following a dispute over a taxi where a vehicle was struck. He also corroborated the story of a large brawl spilling to the outside of HSBC Bank.

Detective Inspector Sam Taylor, of Bury CID, said: "On arrival the victim was unconscious, not breathing and bleeding heavily from a serious head wound to the back of the skull. Officers commenced CPR and NWAS attended within minutes.

"It appears the victim has had an altercation with a group of males and has been punched - he has then fallen and hit his head on the pavement, leaving him unconscious. A second male from the group then kicked the victim before walking off and returning to film the victim on the floor.

"We are following several lines of enquiries and will work to bring the perpetrators to justice. Somebody will have witnessed this attack or will know something, and they should call police on 0161 856 8213 quoting log 612 of June 18, 2022.

"We are particularly interested in any CCTV, mobile footage or dashcam footage, especially from taxi drivers.”

Another one at the same rank just three months later

This is the third Scottish rank deja vu sort of story in a couple of days


Glasgow police probe after man head-butted at Buchanan Bus Station taxi rank

https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glas ... n-24821445

The 51-year old victim was taken to hospital for treatment. The suspect was last seen running away from the Buchanan Bus Station, heading west on Killermont Street.

Glasgow police are appealing for witnesses after a man was seriously assaulted at Buchanan Bus Station.

The attack took place while the man was waiting at the taxi rank within the station around 12:15am on Sunday.

The 51-year old victim was approached by a man who head-butted him, causing him to fall to the ground. He was taken to hospital for treatment.

The suspect was last seen running from the bus station, heading west on Killermont Street. He is described as white, between 25 and 35-years-old, of slim build, with short dark hair, receding on top and shaved at sides, and a short beard.

He was wearing a blue jumper with white detailing around wrists and neck, dark blue jeans and white trainers.

Police probing the attack say the suspect had been arguing with several members of the public at the taxi rank prior to the assault.

Detective Constable Matthew McCann said: "A man has sustained a serious injury and it is imperative we trace whoever is responsible.

"Our enquiries have so far revealed the suspect had been arguing with several members of the public at the taxi rank prior to the assault.

"I would urge anyone who was within Buchanan Bus Station at the time of the incident to contact police.

"Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 0069 of Sunday, 21 August, 2022.

"Alternatively Crimestoppers can be called on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained."

Photo here obviously consistent with the earlier description, but makes you wonder why the CCTV image wasn't issued at the time, which would surely have helped considerably?

I mean, it surely didn't take two months to find the CCTV grab, which was presumably taken by the rank itself on the bus station cameras?


Police Scotland have issued a CCTV appeal following a serious assault on Buchanan Street on Sunday, 21 August, 2022

https://www.scotland.police.uk/what-s-h ... gust-2022/



Police Scotland has released an image of a male they believe may be able to assist them with their ongoing investigation into a serious assault that took place on Sunday, 21 August, 2022 at Buchanan Bus Station taxi rank, Glasgow.

The male is described as white, between 18 and 30-years-old and of slim build, short receding brown hair shaved at sides, short beard. He was wearing a dark blue jumper with white piping around collar and cuffs, dark blue jeans, and white trainers.

Detective Constable Matthew McCann said: “This was a serious attack which left a man requiring hospital treatment.

“I would urge the man, or anyone who has information relating to the man depicted in the image to make contact with the police.”

Anyone with information can contact officers through 101 quoting reference number 0069 of Sunday, 21 August 2022.

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.

It seems quite common for the police to take ages to publicise CCTV until well after the event.

And I can never fathom out why.

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IDFIMH

Drunken Carlisle taxi queue row leads to court appearance

https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/2312 ... ppearance/

A DRUNK man accused of queue jumping at a Carlisle taxi rank and who admitted being annoyed with police officers told a court: “I don’t normally drink a lot.”

John Needham, 25, who recently moved to the area to have a fresh start after being released from prison, was sentenced at the city’s Rickergate court after he pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly.

Pam Ward, prosecuting, said it happened at near to Court Square, Carlisle, on Sunday, October 1 at the taxi rank. “Police were dealing with a first aid incident when their attention was drawn to a dispute between patrons waiting for taxis,” said the prosecutor.

“It involved Mr Needham, who appeared to be intoxicated.”

Needham seemed to be arguing with people after “pushing in” to the front of the queue, said Mrs Ward. He was “drunk and argumentative with the police officer” who went to the group to investigate.

The officer advised him to re-join the queue in the right place but immediately after this Needham was involved in “pushing and shoving” with an unknown male who moved away as police approached.

Representing himself in court, Needham, from How Mill, near Brampton, said his sister’s boyfriend had been assaulted and he had tried to calm things down. “I got a bit annoyed with the police because I’d been assaulted,” he said.

“But I do agree that I was drunk and out of order.”

Describing what happened as “a silly incident,” he said he now hoped to concentrate on training to become a barber. He was given a 12-month conditional discharge and told to pay £;85 costs and a £26 victim surcharge.

Not really a trade thing, and not even clear what the row was about, but presumably a rank queue thing, or at least a row over whose car it was. Slightly more interesting perp and sentencing than the usual knacker, though


Royal Marine committed 'cowardly' attack during taxi dispute

https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/ ... i-dispute/

A SERVING Royal Marine was labelled a “buffoon” by a judge for a “cowardly attack” during a “minor dispute over a taxi”.

John Faulkner, who was described as an “outstanding solider” in court, assaulted two young men in Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, during a night out.

Judge Robert Pawson told Faulkner, 34, that his conduct on March 6 had brought a “disgrace” on the Royal Marines.

“It is an illustrious regiment, but you are not expected to fight with civilians on the street,” Judge Pawson said.

“A cowardly attack, launching punches without warning in what was a minor disagreement.”

The judge said the victims did nothing wrong in approaching the taxi moments before the attack took place.

Faulkner, an Acting Sergeant who had been due for promotion in January, avoided a custodial sentence after the judge gave significant consideration to his military record and the amount of money he had available to pay in compensation.

The defendant, of Runcorn, Cheshire, previously pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assault by beating.

He appeared in the dock at Bournemouth Crown Court for sentencing on Friday, December 2.

The court heard the victim of the more serious assault suffered damage to five or six of his teeth after being punched.

The injuries inflicted by the defendant in a “split second” came after the victim spent five years wearing braces to straighten his teeth in his teenage years.

The attack was described as “impulsive and short-lived” by the judge.

Judge Pawson said he had read multiple references from members of the Royal Marines, which showed the defendant, who served in Afghanistan, had “earned the respect and a certain level of stature across all ranks”.

Richard Martin, mitigating, said the defendant had previously been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and received treatment for this.

He was working with medical and welfare officers to get help for his problems, Mr Martin said.

The barrister said the defendant now had an insight into his triggers and he had stopped drinking alcohol.

Mr Martin submitted it was an “exceptional case”, which could properly be marked with a community order.

The judge accepted that Faulkner had expressed genuine remorse and there was a low risk of reoffending.

“I have seen that you are taking steps to deal with the issues that you face,” Judge Pawson said.

The judge said Faulkner had previously been convicted for similar night-time violence back in 2015 and he described him as a “buffoon” for his latest offending.

“It is embarrassing and it should be an embarrassment to you and the fact that you are a Royal Marine makes things worse,” the judge said.

Judge Pawson said the defendant’s actions had not done the public relations for his unit and his fellow Royal Marines “any good at all”.

Faulkner received an 18-month community order, with requirements to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work and up to 30 rehabilitation activity days. He was ordered to pay £7,500 compensation.

The judge said the defendant would receive further punishment from his commanding officer at a later date.

He said sending Faulkner to jail would mean the country would lose an “outstanding Marine”, no compensation would be available to the victim and there would be an impact on the defendant’s young daughter.

Not across all taxi ranks, though

Not much to see here, and no sign of any trade involvement. But another one from Whitehaven - the third reported rank incident in little more than a year

So maybe it's a thing with taxi ranks there, or maybe police more proactive as regards the ranks, or maybe the local press just like reporting about rank incidents


Drunk man was 'upset' by queue-jumping at Whitehaven taxi rank

https://www.timesandstar.co.uk/news/235 ... taxi-rank/

A drunk man became “aggressive” to members of the public because he was “upset” by queue jumping at a taxi rank.

Police were on duty on April 16 when they became aware of Stephen Leece, 33, who was at the taxi rank on Duke Street in Whitehaven.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting at Workington Magistrates’ Court, said Leece was upset that people were jumping in front of him in the queue. He told police he had been waiting 40 minutes for a taxi, which “wasn’t true”.

Leece started pointing his finger at the police sergeant and the defendant was warned he would be arrested for being drunk and disorderly.

He continued shouting and swearing. He was then arrested and continued with his behaviour while police waited for a vehicle.

Ms Fee said the defendant, who was last before the court in 2020, used to be a regular at court, but the offending had “tailed off”. She said it was “disappointing” to see him back before the court again.

Leece, of Shore Terrace, Salterbeck, Workington, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly.

John Cooper, defending, said: “He had been at a rugby match. He said he should have just gone home when he was told.

“It’s a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity. A long time ago, we used to see him on a regular basis. It’s now been quite some time.”

Leece was fined £80 and must pay £85 costs and a £32 victim surcharge.

...ditto Paisley. Can't be bothered looking back, but seem to recall several rank incidents there in the past. But, again, no sign of any trade involvement below.

Would post the official police press release, but can't find it. And this is one of those rehashes which looks really padded out, and basically repeats the police statement twice. Or three times, if you include the headline


Man attacked by three people at taxi rank, police say

The man was attacked by two men and a woman, Police Scotland said.

https://news.stv.tv/west-central/man-at ... tland-says

A man has been attacked by three people at a taxi rank, Police Scotland has said.

Officers were called out to County Square in Paisley on Saturday following reports of an assault at around 10pm.

Police said the man appears to have been attacked by two men and a woman.

The force is appealing for witnesses.

A spokesperson said: “Enquiries are ongoing following a report of an assault at the taxi rank on County Square, Paisley, around 10 pm on Saturday, 20 May 2023.

“A man appears to have been assaulted by three other people, a woman and two men.

“Anyone with information can contact officers via 101 quoting incident 2769 of Sunday, May 21 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”