No great revelations here. Kind of thing we all know about, and have read about often enough on here.
Perhaps the big question that isn't even addressed here is whether it's getting worse, and why.
(But obviously because this article is in the wake of the driver 'stabbing' incident, it's more of a static picture looking at the issues rather than looking at the longer-term scenario
)
I'd say it probably is worse in many places, possibly as a result of lockdown, and the lack of availability thereafter. As I said umpteen times on here, it's a vicious circle - the headbangers couldn't get cabs after lockdown, so they lash out, and that makes drivers reluctant to work, etc, etc.
On the other hand, not sure if things have settled down a bit with regard to availability, and of course the cost of living crisis means fewer people out pubbing and clubbing...
Don't know about elsewhere, but any lack of taxi availability post-lockdown in St Andrews has now effectively disappeared, as the drivers drifted back over time, and a few new ones appeared.
Anyway, this seems to be mainly about HCs with screens, although of course I think Blackpool is mixed HCs saloons and purpose-built cabs.
Taxi drivers 'attacked regularly' on streets where some refuse to work - but say 'a fare is a fare'https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire- ... s-28889919'It's a dangerous job but a fare's a fare'In recent weeks, the spotlight has landed on the late-night taxi trade in Blackpool.
Shockwaves were sent through a close-knit community following reports one of their number was in hospital. It was alleged they have been the victim of a vicious knife attack while driving through the seaside town.
But all was not as it seemed. According to a police statement more than a week after the incident, no crime had in fact taken place.
The news sparked a mix of confusion and anger, particularly among those who had rallied in support of the victim, raising more than £2,000 to help him once he'd left hospital.
Yet while the cabbies of Blackpool try to piece together exactly what happened, many told LancsLive the case could just have easily been an example of the dangers they face every time they step in their cars.
In recent months, several knife crime incidents have left Blackpool residents concerned for their safety with some saying they do not go into the town centre at night.
In January a woman was stabbed in the abdomen on a residential street. And the following month a man was slashed across the face in a gang brawl in Layton.
Taxi drivers in the resort did not want to speak about the latest claims by one of their own. Despite the air of scepticism about the report, they said the job remains dangerous.
High levels of alcohol and drug abuse can lead to customers becoming volatile and refusing to pay their fares. Some now refuse to work late at night due to the risks they face while others said they rely on the work to earn an income.
One driver told LancsLive: "You make a judgement when people come to the door of your cab. If I don't like the look of you, you're not getting in. It's a hard, rough game out here, even in the day time. There's too many drugs around, especially at night.
"How would you like it if I came into your work and verbally abused you? Then if you give it back they can report you to the council. It's a dangerous job.
"You have to be a bit streetwise. If they want to go out of town you take the money up front. You don't want to get to Fleetwood and have your pants pulled down.
"If I have a group of six lads in the back it only takes one of them to start and you have a problem."
Another driver said: "It's not good. We have all this protection and you screen who comes in the cab but a job's a job. If you don't take a job you don't earn.
"Drivers are always at risk to a degree. Drivers get attacked on a regular basis. There have been several incidents over the years where things have happened to cab drivers."
One female driver said she no longer works nights and prefers to take shoppers home during daylight hours. She said: "It is too wild out there for my liking. They happily spend £100 on drink then don't want to pay the £6-7 to get home. They start arguing, saying they only have £3.
"We aren't here for the good of our health, we're here to earn a living. You always keep an eye on who is in your car. As soon as you touch the brakes the doors are locked and there is a screen separating us from the customers.
"Ubers and minicabs don't have the same protection. I wouldn't do the job if I wasn't in a black cab with the safety measures it has.
"It is a hard job and there isn't the back up from the police. People will ask you to come back the next day for the money and we know they have no intention of paying but the police say they have not made off without paying as they've said they will pay the next day.
"It just isn't worth the risk of working nights when it is like that out there."
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