Taxi Driver Online

Woman assaulted by city 'taxi driver'
DETECTIVES are hunting a sex attacker who lured a woman into his car by claiming to be a taxi driver.

The suspect is captured on CCTV footage taken in the Stafford Street and Crown Bank area of Hanley.

Police are appealing to the public for any information on the man, who is wanted for questioning in connection with a serious sexual assault on a 21-year-old woman.

The man was parked close to the city centre taxi rank in Stafford Street and offered to take the woman home, claiming he was a cab driver.


His car was parked close to the city centre taxi rank in Stafford Street.

The woman, who had become separated from her friends after a night out, got into his car. She was then assaulted in the Smallthorne and Sneyd Green area.

Her attacker was white, 5ft 8ins to 5ft 10ins tall, aged between 40 to 50, of medium build with very short, blond hair. He spoke with a local accent.

The offence happened late on Saturday, April 24.

Chief Inspector Wayne Jones, from Stoke-on-Trent division, said: "I am appealing for this man, or anyone who knows him, to come forward and help us with our inquiry.

"Fortunately, incidents like this are rare in Staffordshire. A detailed investigation is now underway and we are determined to bring the person responsible to justice.

"Specially trained officers are supporting the victim.

"Staffordshire Police urges members of the public wishing to take a taxi to only use registered Hackney carriages or private hire vehicles they have personally ordered via the company's control room."

Stoke-on-Trent Hackney Carriage Association chairman Abdul Rauf said: "There are a few rogue taxi drivers operating in the city and we have complained to the police and council about them in the past. The official city hackney taxis are blue and white in colour so they are easily identifiable. Fortunately incidents like this are rare but people still need to be careful when getting inside a taxi."

Cabbie Dave Burgess-Pearson, of Bucknall, said: "There are a lot of unlicensed cab drivers around and it is so scary when you think what can happen.

"This sort of crime shows how dangerous it is to get in an unlicensed cab.

"People should only use Hackney carriages, or a private hire firm they know and trust.

"But when people have had a drink, they just want to get home and that's when they can get into an unlicensed cab."

Anyone with information is asked to contact officers at the force's Major Investigations Department on 01785 233624 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/ne ... ticle.html

I wish they would get the headlines correct this man was not a taxi driver and should not be called one

More reason to have proper roof lights and signage on PH, as well as taxis.

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IDFIMH

That may work in some areas but not Dundee.

Between you and me I only put that up to wind a few up.

Even if I do happen to believe it to be true.

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IDFIMH

Got to be the worse suggestion since anyone recommended registering to Harold Shipman's Surgery !!

kk

If you dont wish to confuse PH for Taxis thens its best to not make them look the same...and a Light on the roof would confuse ten times more punters than a PH without a light.

If any Perv wanted to ensnare a victim they could easily purchase or cobble up a roof light which would fool most half jaked punters.

Lights on PH are no more than needless airbrakes..

I'm more interested in stopping the confusion between licensed/checked drivers and vehicles, and the unlicensed version.

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IDFIMH

Howz about nice bright high-viz fluorescent yellow plates with a reflective edge....providing it didnt lure the public into thinking they were looking at a very small and close up police car or a very distant ambulance the'yd work a treat..

All the more reason for banning saloons as taxi's.....