Taxi drivers stop working at night following attacks
TAXI drivers say they are quitting night shifts because of the number of attacks they are suffering at the hands of Bolton yobs.
Some workers at Bolton’s biggest private hire firm, Metro cars, say they have been left too frightened to go back to work or reluctant to pick up fares at night because of what they say are a growing number of attacks.
Each week around two or three drivers at Metro Cars claim to fall foul of yobs.
As reported in The Bolton News, Nick Astley, managing director of the Tonge Moor Road-based firm, is offering a £1,000 reward for information which leads to a conviction for anyone targeting Metro Cars vehicles or staff. He took the action following a spate of attacks on his cars and drivers.
Driver Imran Kialit, aged 29, is one of the drivers to have come under attack in recent weeks.
Mr Kialit had his front passenger side car door kicked in and his wing mirror smashed by a customer who did not want to pay a £3 fare, and was left to foot the bill for the damage.
He said: “He got out of the car and said Metro knew who he was so he didn’t have to pay.
“I told him I needed the fare and he kicked my car door. I charged the man £3 but it wasn’t about the fare, there are just some people who want to cause a problem. After my car door was smashed I was scared because I didn’t want to start work again.”
A month ago Shahzab Bahdar, aged 32, had his window smashed in Bradshawgate at around 3am.
He said: “I parked my car up on the main road and two or three guys came to my car with bats and smashed the window on the driver’s side and ran away. I didn’t know them, they weren’t passengers — they just smashed it and ran. I am very scared and I am not working night shifts now.”
Police have been working with drivers to tackle problems.
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/districtnews/
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