Taxi Driver Online

Birmingham Evening Mail

July 2, 2007, Monday

Alert over taxicab phoneys

FAMILIES are being warned to be on their guard against bogus taxi drivers after signs were stolen from hire vehicles.

The first happened at around 10pm on June 16 when a sign was stolen from a taxi parked in Pine Tree Close while a second sign was taken from a taxi parked off Parsons Road between 10.30pm on June 22 and 1am on June 23.

Officers are appealing for anyone with information relating to these thefts to pass this on to officers at Redditch police station as soon as they can.

There is concern that these stolen taxi signs may be used illegally and police are warning taxi users to be extra observant.

Working with the taxi licensing department at Redditch Borough Council, police have issued safety advice:

Wherever possible, use a regular taxi driver or firm that you know

If you are a female travelling alone, consider requesting a female driver

Pre-book your taxi home - do not flag a taxi down or accept a ride from a driver anywhere other than a legitimate taxi rank Redditch taxis can be identified not only by the sign on their roof, but also by the signs in the passenger side of the windscreen and by a rectangular plate close to the rear number plate.

On a hackney carriage taxi, this plate will be red with a green Redditch Borough Council logo.

PC Eddie Mills, crime risk manager for Redditch, said:

"Anyone with information relating to the theft of taxi signs can call police on 08457 444 888 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."
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