Taxi firms in 'race abuse' claims
http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/ne ... e__claims/
TAXI bosses in Rossendale have met with police to raise concerns that their drivers are being racially abused by rival firms.
The Hate Crime Unit at Lancashire Police is investigating two incidents where white drivers were allegedly abused by Asian drivers.
The names of the firms has not been released but police are urging drivers to come forward if they have been targeted.
Diversity officer Syed Naqui, from the Hate Crime Unit, said: “One or two concerns were raised by Rossendale taxi drivers which we are now looking into.
“We have been told there have been incidents between white and Asian firms in Rossendale.
“At this moment we have no new lines of inquiry.”
Concerns were raised during a meeting of the Taxi Liaison Group between taxi drivers, councillors and police.
One white driver said he was verbally abused over the phone by "an Asian sounding person".
Another incident is alleged to have taken place in Rochdale when a white driver said he received abuse from Asian drivers.
Glen Bulcock, chairman of Rossendale Taxi Association, said: “These incidents are very few and far between and during my 25 years working in the taxi trade, I have hardly seen it.
“Due to the financial strain on the taxi business these days, drivers are very protective over the area which they cover for fear of poaching business.
“I think there might have been a miscommunication between two drivers from different areas which fuelled the comments.
“The taxi licensing team and the police race unit are on board to tackle it.”
Licensing chairman Coun Jimmy Eaton said: “We have passed details of these allegations to the police for them to investigate further.
“Racism of any kind should not be tolerated and if any Rossendale taxi drivers have been involved in this they will be answerable to the licensing committee.”
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