Police to check cabbies during Christmas rush in Birmingham
POLICE are to pull over cabbies on their rounds in Birmingham this Christmas – to ensure they are safe.
Patrolling officers will be stopping Hackney carriages and private hire drivers working across the city as part of the safety drive.
The idea emerged from a Taxi Advisory Group set up by police and industry representatives amid fears that drivers could become more of a target for robbery or abuse over the festive period.
The group was set up last year in the wake of the death of private hire driver Mohammed Arshad.
The 36-year-old father of three was stabbed in the head and left for dead in a country lane on the Birmingham Worcestershire border after picking up a passenger in July last year.
Insp Richard Agar, who is behind the initiative, said: “That is still very close in the minds of the taxi drivers.
“What emerged from the group was that they wanted to ensure the safety of drivers by police being visible and interacting with them.
“We want taxi drivers to be confident that they can do their job without fear of harassment from the people that they pick up.
“As well as stopping cabs that are seen while out on patrol, officers will also be visiting taxi hubs and control rooms to check all is well with drivers.
“This is a normal part of everyday business, but we are encouraging officers to focus on taxis when demand for fares increases over Christmas.
“Taxi drivers shouldn’t be on the receiving end of verbal or physical abuse simply as a consequence of ferrying people home. We want everybody to enjoy themselves while they are out, but police won’t accept the abuse that some people give to taxi drivers at the end of their night out.”
Since the death of Mr Arshad, taxi drivers have been working with police on improving links and boosting safety. The city’s 4,900 private hire drivers have been told by city licensing chiefs they can buy shields to protect themselves.
A man aged 28 has been charged with the murder of Mr Arshad and is due to stand trial next year.
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