|
These attacks are now getting beyond a joke and something radical needs to be done. There appears to be no deterrent for these would be attackers of cab drivers so some serious thinking needs to be done by all. A start would be for the DfT to issue guidance that no council should refuse an application to install CCTV in their vehicle.
_____________________________
September 20, 2007 Thursday
Cabbies demand action
Asian Image
Taxi and cab drivers have demanded more protection after another driver was brutally attacked during an attempted robbery.
Abdul Rasheed Flahi, 58, was set upon by two men when he arrived to collect a fare at Thyme Court, near Saffron Drive, Allerton.
Mr Flahi, of Bradford, was sitting in his vehicle when he was beaten repeatedly round the head and face with a wooden stake by the pair who demanded money. His attackers fled empty-handed as he screamed for help.
Mr Flahi said: "I received a call to go to Thyme Court and I pulled up outside the address and waited.
"Two men came out and immediately came to the driver's side, opened the door and began beating me with a big stick. It was very frightening, they kept screaming Give us the money! Give us the money!' "I don't know how many times they hit me. I tried to drive away with the door still open but they grabbed the keys from the ignition and threw them on the ground.
"I was shouting for help and eventually they ran away. I called my office for help and they called the police and ambulance.
"I was taken to the BRI where they took X-rays and said they had to check to see whether I have a fractured skull."
CD Khalid, chairman of Bradford's Hackney Carriage Association, said the level of violence drivers now faced was out of control.
Last year two taxi drivers were murdered in West Yorkshire.
In April 2006, Keighley taxi driver Mahmood Ahmed, a father-of-six, was beaten and stabbed to death. His body was found in Slack Lane, Oakworth.
In February this year Michael Metcalfe, 46, was jailed for life for his murder.
In July 2006, another taxi driver Mohammed Parvais, 41, was beaten to death in a cul-de-sac in Huddersfield.
Four teenagers - Graeme Slavin, 18, Christopher Murphy, 19, Steven Utley, 17, and Michael Hand, 19 - were later jailed for his murder.
And earlier this year it was reported how Bradford taxi driver Nadeem Gondal, 26, of Girlington, was beaten, punched, kicked, bitten and mauled in an attack by three passengers with a pit bull dog in Shipley.
The Crown Prosecution Service was unable to take a case to court due to a lack of evidence.
Mr Khalid said: "In the last few years we have seen more and more attacks on our drivers and vehicles but nothing seems to be done about it.
"We have had vehicles stoned, hijacked and at least one driver beaten half to death. For the last year and a half we have refused to send cars to the Holme Wood area because it was so bad.
"We are in trouble out there but what are the Council and the police doing about it?"
Despite his ordeal Mr Flahi has vowed to return to work.
"I have had two days off but I will be back," he said.
"These two wanted money. I think they might have been druggies but I will not let them stop me working."
Shoukat Ali, a colleague of Mr Flahi, said: "He is a very brave man, very brave. He had some days off but he will go back to work.
"We are just very glad that this is not even more serious. We could have lost a colleague, anything could have happened. We need to make sure these people are caught and that this is not allowed to happen again.
"Ninety per cent of people who call our taxis are very nice people but there are those ten per cent who are violent, abusive and do things like this.
"I think more should be done to help protect drivers. There have been several incidents like this recently and every weekend we get abuse and threats."
David Webster, head of business services at Bradford Council, said: "The safety of both our taxi drivers and our passengers is of paramount importance.
"We are happy for drivers to install clear, plastic protective screens in their cars, as long as they are from a recognised distributor.
"We also have no problem with drivers installing closed circuit television cameras, but unfortunately the drivers will have to fund these themselves."
Detective Inspector Noel Devine, of Bradford North CID, said: "This was a vicious attack on a taxi driver who was just doing his job and on his way to pick up a customer.
"This incident highlights the dangers that taxi drivers face which is why we are appealing for the assistance of the public in tracing those responsible."
The two men wanted for the assault, which took place at about 12.30am on Monday, are described as being in their late teens or early 20s.
Both were white and skinny. One was tall and the other shorter. Both wore dark clothing and jeans.
After the assault they are believed to have run off in the direction of Pine Court.
Anyone with any information should contact (01274) 376259 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
__________________________________
|
Login
Register
FAQ
