Taxi Driver Online

Lincolnshire Echo

August 19, 2006 Saturday

HEADLINE: Gangs target cabbies

Cab drivers are giving up night shifts and refusing to accept fares in certain areas after an increase in robberies and attacks.

Drivers at Lincoln-based firms Handsome Cabs and Discount Cabs claim certain streets and estates are becoming no-go zones. They say the increase in violence has left them constantly in fear of being set upon by gangs.

Gary Dickenson, who does sub-contract driving work for Handsome Cabs, and also runs two other cabs, said the situation was getting out of hand and gangs were targeting cabs and their drivers.

"We are having a lot of violent incidents - many more than normal," he said. "We are sick and tired of being intimidated and attacked. The main problem seems to revolve around the Ermine estate.

"There's a gang of lads there deliberately targeting cabs. "But we've also recently had a driver punched on the nose near the Brayford in the city centre. "Windows are being smashed, money is being stolen and drivers are being intimidated. Something needs to be done."

Alwyn Pearce (53), from the Boultham Park area of Lincoln, one of Mr Dickenson's drivers, has given up night driving and says others would do the same if they could afford to.

"Late last year I was on a job on the Ermine. My cab was surrounded by a gang and they threw a brick through the back window. It just missed the back of my head - I was terrified.

"I called the police and they had a word with the lads and then sped off - leaving me standing there."

Discount Cabs says its drivers are also having a lot of problems. The firm's controller Paul Woodman said: "Three weeks ago one of our drivers reported his window had been smashed and £400 taken and a couple of months before a female driver was pulled from her car and attacked on the Birchwood estate."

Lincolnshire Police said they had not heard of a particular problem with taxi drivers being attacked. "If taxi drivers are experiencing any problems they need to tell us about it," said force spokesman Rachel Hill.

"Then we can investigate the incident and offer support and reassurance as they go about their work." Do cab drivers deserve more respect? Write to Your View, Lincolnshire Echo, Brayford Wharf East, Lincoln LN5 7AT. Or e-mail yourview@lincolnshireecho.co.uk

Are you a cab driver who has been attacked recently? Call reporter James Newall on (01522) 804319.
................................................

yet again taxis are seen as easy targets and I and knowing Lincolnshire police I bet the response was what do you expect us to do about it ?

News to me. Not a single taxi driver in Lincoln has reported an incident of this kind in recent times. The press in search of a story, it seems.

_________________
Former taxi driver

The problem is if a gang is attacking drivers and getting away with £400 then it obviously makes it very tempting and once word gets out that there is that kind of money to be had then every scumbag in the town will fancy it.

Personally I think that is a ridiculous amount of money to be carrying - obviously not just one nights takings and the question that needs to be asked is why carry that amount of money ????.

Are you talking hackney or private hire ? have you asked both sides of the trade

Hackney. AKA "TAXI'S".

_________________
Former taxi driver