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Bogus cab fears after rape
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Author:  captain cab [ Wed Apr 08, 2009 6:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Bogus cab fears after rape
Bogus cab fears after rape

http://www.stockportexpress.co.uk/news/s/1107270_bogus_cab_fears_after_rape


POLICE and taxi drivers are warning women not to get into illegal cabs, after a brutal rape following a night out in Stockport.

The 20-year-old victim was alone when she accepted a lift from a man she thought was a legitimate taxi driver and was driven off in a white saloon car from Wellington Road South, near Cobden’s pub, on Sunday (April 5) at 3am.

However the man proved to be a sex fiend, and instead of taking her home, drove the woman to Longsight, where he pulled over onto New Bank Street and raped her.

The traumatised woman has told police the car had a private hire sticker on it and now David Hulbert, secretary of Stockport Owner Driver Association, is urging other taxi users, particularly women, to be extra careful.

David also believes that the vehicle, which was not registered as a taxi but had this illegal marker, should have caught the attention of other drivers. And he says the disgusting attack serves as a reminder to take care not to get into private hire taxis unless they have been pre-booked.

David said: "If someone was there hanging about in what wasn’t a registered taxi, but had a private hire sticker, then that could have stood out so I hope there are drivers out there that can help. We don't want these sort of people running about.

"It makes me angry, this guy was just masquerading as a driver and it reflects on the trade as a whole. The majority of taxi drivers are family people and it makes you wary for their safety and you feel for the girl. Unfortunately there are people out there who will take advantage after you’ve had a few drinks.

"This girl should be safe at the end of the night but by just jumping into a vehicle you are putting yourself in danger. People aren’t fully aware of the law, even registered private hire vehicles aren’t allowed to just pick up off the street."

The woman, who had wanted to get back to Manchester, told the driver she did not have enough money for a fare to her destination, but he offered her a lift anyway. Police have now appealed for witnesses and have joined David in urging women to only get into private hire taxis if they have been pre-booked.

Only black cabs are allowed to just pick up people on the street.

The rapist is described as being of mixed race origin, aged around 30, with black spiky hair.

Officers are especially keen to speak to a man who visited Longsight Police Station at 3.30am, asked to speak to someone but then went without leaving his details.

Det Sgt Rob Cousen, from Longsight CID, said: "I believe he may have vital information for us and could be the key to this rape investigation. I would appeal to him, or anyone else who has information, to come forward. It is also important that women who are planning a night out book taxis in advance with a reputable company and, where possible, do not go home on their own."

Anyone with information should call police on (0161) 856 4269 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police have arrested a 28-year-old man on suspicion of rape. As the Express went to press he had not been charged.
Author:  Stationtone [ Wed Apr 08, 2009 6:26 pm ]
Post subject: 
This makes me sick,when are lo going to throw the book at phv who a caught picking up illegally.As i have said before if they stopped picking up illegally the public would stop trying to flag them down.I hope the good phv condone any phv picking up illegally.This is happening far to often.

" should have caught the attention of other drivers" taxi drivers are sick to the back teeth complaining to the lo yet nothing is getting done
Author:  captain cab [ Wed Apr 08, 2009 6:32 pm ]
Post subject: 
stationtone wrote:
This makes me sick,when are lo going to throw the book at phv who a caught picking up illegally.As i have said before if they stopped picking up illegally the public would stop trying to flag them down.I hope the good phv condone any phv picking up illegally.This is happening far to often.

" should have caught the attention of other drivers" taxi drivers are sick to the back teeth complaining to the lo yet nothing is getting done


Its down to the courts to throw the book :shock:

CC
Author:  toots [ Wed Apr 08, 2009 6:34 pm ]
Post subject: 
As sad as this is people are not going to stop getting into cars that are either bogus taxis or illegally plying for hire. The public just want to get home at the end of the night.

I'm always telling people that if they get into PH that isn't booked by them they're not insured and the reply is always 'you don't think about that you just wanna get home'.

Whilst door signs can help people recognise a PH when it arrives it's not the hardest thing in the world to copy is it
Author:  Stationtone [ Wed Apr 08, 2009 6:37 pm ]
Post subject: 
Yes i agree,our police have said that the fiscals office are ok with them being reported to the la something we dispute and are in the process of getting them to change there procedures.
Author:  grandad [ Wed Apr 08, 2009 6:37 pm ]
Post subject: 
toots wrote:

Whilst door signs can help people recognise a PH when it arrives it's not the hardest thing in the world to copy is it


Door signs were introduce in my manor last year. So far I think I am the only one who has put them on the car.
Author:  captain cab [ Wed Apr 08, 2009 6:39 pm ]
Post subject: 
grandad wrote:
toots wrote:

Whilst door signs can help people recognise a PH when it arrives it's not the hardest thing in the world to copy is it


Door signs were introduce in my manor last year. So far I think I am the only one who has put them on the car.


So why dont the LA do something?

CC
Author:  Stationtone [ Wed Apr 08, 2009 6:41 pm ]
Post subject: 
We have to educate the public of the dangers and also clamp down on illegally plying for hire.

Also the argument that there is not enough taxis does not wash as it would not matter how many taxis there were on a Saturday night there still would not be enough
Author:  grandad [ Wed Apr 08, 2009 6:43 pm ]
Post subject: 
captain cab wrote:
grandad wrote:
toots wrote:

Whilst door signs can help people recognise a PH when it arrives it's not the hardest thing in the world to copy is it


Door signs were introduce in my manor last year. So far I think I am the only one who has put them on the car.


So why dont the LA do something?

CC


Probably because they have not been out and seen any of the cars. Enforcement here seems to be a once a year blitz to get as many cars pulled in on a Saturday night as possible. So far as I am aware no one has been charged with any offences from one of these inspections. One driver even had 2 bald tyres and the only action was to send him to bed without his supper.
Author:  skippy41 [ Wed Apr 08, 2009 6:52 pm ]
Post subject: 
There is only one way to stop all this and that is make all PH hacks
the only differences between us at the moment is a top sign and a phone call

Goes out to work for the next 70 hours to avoid the flack :oops:
Author:  Stationtone [ Wed Apr 08, 2009 6:56 pm ]
Post subject: 
skippy41 wrote:
There is only one way to stop all this and that is make all PH hacks
the only differences between us at the moment is a top sign and a phone call

Goes out to work for the next 70 hours to avoid the flack :oops:


SKIPPY Dundee does not have a limit yet the problem with phv is getting worse, :evil: :evil:
Author:  captain cab [ Wed Apr 08, 2009 6:57 pm ]
Post subject: 
skippy41 wrote:
There is only one way to stop all this and that is make all PH hacks
the only differences between us at the moment is a top sign and a phone call

Goes out to work for the next 70 hours to avoid the flack :oops:


Thats not a solution ffs

CC
Author:  skippy41 [ Wed Apr 08, 2009 6:59 pm ]
Post subject: 
captain cab wrote:
skippy41 wrote:
There is only one way to stop all this and that is make all PH hacks
the only differences between us at the moment is a top sign and a phone call

Goes out to work for the next 70 hours to avoid the flack :oops:


Thats not a solution ffs

CC


Well can you think of anything better :?:
Apart from painting every PH YELLOW
Author:  captain cab [ Wed Apr 08, 2009 7:09 pm ]
Post subject: 
skippy41 wrote:

Well can you think of anything better :?:
Apart from painting every PH YELLOW


No I cant.....apart from making the only vehicles licensed to carry passengers for hire and reward TX4's.......and that wont happen.

These things will happen because theres some sick b*stards out there.

CC
Author:  toots [ Wed Apr 08, 2009 7:09 pm ]
Post subject: 
The government spend a fortune advertising the dangers of drink and drugs but they spend nothing on educating the public with regards to the difference between HC and PH nor the dangers of not checking what we get into.

They even educate people about how stupid it is to step onto live railway lines ffs if that's not commonsense there's no hope for Joe Public is there
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