Taxi Driver Online

Safety precautions needed as licensed mini cab drivers say ‘enough is enough‘ as 9 drivers are killed in 45 serious attacks by passengers since April 2007

31 Jan 2008

GMB, the Union for licensed mini cab drivers, is planning a lobby at the Department of Transport to step up the campaign for CCTV cameras to be in stalled in all mini cabs following a spate of serious attacks on drivers that left nine of them dead at the hands of their passengers.

The introduction of CCTV cameras in mini cabs in Sheffield has led to a 72% reduction in attacks on drivers. Bradford Council allows advertising on cabs for the sole purpose of funding CCTV in cabs.

GMB research shows that in April 2007 a mini cab driver in Sheffield as killed in a gun attack by a passenger that he was carrying at the time. A few days later another mini cab driver as killed by a passenger in Keighley, Yorkshire. In May a driver in Gravesend was run over by his own cab and killed by his passenger. In July two more drivers, one in Essex and the other in Huddersfield, were killed by their passengers. In September two mini cab drivers in Sunderland were killed by their passengers. In November the same happened to a driver in Nottingham and in December a driver was killed in a knife attack in Berkshire.

Overall in the same period there were 45 serious assaults with knives, guns, hammers, screwdrivers and fists which resulted in the nine fatalities in the towns listed above. These reports were pulled together from reports in the local press by GMB Professional Driver Branch.

Terence Flanagan, GMB Branch secretary of the Professional Drivers Branch said, “The GMB Professional Drivers Branch has decided that immediate action must be taken as a result of the severe risks to their lives and limbs those GMB members who drive mini cabs face on a daily basis.

GMB intends to set up a lobby of the Department of Transport and to draw public attention to this problem with events on Workers Memorial Day (28th April 2008).

GMB want the public authorities to ensure that funds are available via tax incentives and other methods to enable CCTV to be fitted in all licensed mini cabs and that shields are placed between the driver and the passengers as already happens on black cabs and busses. In addition GMB want mini cab firms to provide coaching and real training in how to spot trouble in advance and to deal with it when it occurs.

This is not pie in the sky. CCTV has already been introduced in Sheffield and has led to a 72% reduction in attacks on drivers. The installation of CCTV will have the added benefit of protecting passengers such as women travelling on their own who have themselves been subject to attacks by illegal unlicensed drivers.”

Ends

Contact: Terence Flanagan, GMB Professional Drivers Branch Secretary on 07958 275339 or GMB Press Office: Steve Pryle on 07921 289880 or Rose Conroy on 07974 251823.

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Mick Hildreth (07814 032002)
GMB PDB P39 Southern Region Branch Secretary
mick.hildreth@gmbtaxis.org.uk
www.gmbpdb.org.uk

I wish them well in this campaign, and let's hope the other unions/associations can join the noble crusade to rid our trade of the scum.

Oh, and isn't about time the London licensed Private Hire trade ditched the minicab banner?

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IDFIMH

There is scum, and there is f***ing scum, but this is off the scale.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7224191.stm

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IDFIMH

It appears three have been arrested.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7224191.stm

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IDFIMH

WEARSIDE taxi firm is beefing up security in its cabs.

Station Taxis has installed a camera in one of its hackney carriages in a bid to deter fare dodgers and improve driver safety.

Sharon Morgan is the first driver in Station's 173-strong fleet to have a camera-monitored cab as part of a new scheme.

The 37-year-old, from Roker, has been with Station Taxis for 10 years.
She admits the fear of assault is always in the back of her mind and already takes steps to keep herself safe at work.

She said: "I don't work nights. During the day, as a hack driver, you can pick up anywhere, but I tend not to do that as much.

"If I was suspicious of anyone I would not put myself in that position.
"You do get a different reaction being a female driver.

"With most people who get in you just have to find common ground and put the customer at ease, then you are at ease.

"You do have it in the back of your mind, and there are some customers that make you think.

"At least now if I come into that situation I would have photographic evidence.

"The camera is a little bit of extra safety."

Sharon says most customers do not seem to mind becoming stars of the small screen.

"When people find out it is there they are fiddling with their hair or blowing kisses to the camera."

"It is the advertising board they notice more, as it looks like a digital photoframe.

"And people are always asking if it is a TV and can they watch Jeremy Kyle on it.

"A couple of people have said it is a good thing, because you don't know who is getting in your car."

Newcastle-based company iKabs has supplied the camera system, which is paid for through in-cab advertising on a small digital display.

Director Tony Brannon said: "I would like to thank the businesses that have supported our safety campaign and am delighted that Sharon feels safer.

"Hopefully iKabs will become a firm fixture in Sunderland taxis and we will have many more cabs with our systems in them in the coming year."
Station Taxis boss David Blyth said: "These days security is an important issue. It can be dangerous out there and it is a good deterrent."

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Mick Hildreth (07814 032002)
GMB PDB P39 Southern Region Branch Secretary
mick.hildreth@gmbtaxis.org.uk
www.gmbpdb.org.uk

A few posts ago, in another thread you were correcting me that Minicabs were no longer Minicabs.

Yet here we have a press release, presumably sanctioned by the London clo...... sorry, Branch Secretary referring to them as just that?



Communication is a marvellous thing.

Rome wasn't built in a day Mr GBC.

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IDFIMH

didnt take long burn it down though did ! MINISCAB YES BOSSSSSSSSS

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FORUMS ARE A GOOD PLACE TO LET OFF STEAM ! DONT TAKE LIFE TO SERIOUSLY ..

True Mr S, but Rome probably had full time workers on the job, not 'in between jobs' personnel.

You missed the obvious flaw.

As in ............................

And of course you were ripping them all off, be aware the amateurs have seen the errors of their ways YOUR exploiting days are numberd. The GMB will clean the police from this industry. So you have nothing to fear??????????????
N EVER GIVE A MUG AN EVEN BREAK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IRRITATE AGITATE ORGANISE EDUCATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think its a good idea, cctv could be a great detterent.

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stressed controller!!!

Chill Mr GBC,

Mini-Cab, Taxi or Private Hire, the meesage is the same, drivers need protection.

Regards
BB

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Mick Hildreth (07814 032002)
GMB PDB P39 Southern Region Branch Secretary
mick.hildreth@gmbtaxis.org.uk
www.gmbpdb.org.uk

I'm always chilled with my hours Mr BB.

However you said:



I just wondered why it was suddenly ok for them to be Minicabs again?

I think a compromise of 'licensed London minicabs' should be the way forward.

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IDFIMH

I guess you and Mr Flanagan have something in common on this issue, change!

Regards
BB

_________________
Mick Hildreth (07814 032002)
GMB PDB P39 Southern Region Branch Secretary
mick.hildreth@gmbtaxis.org.uk
www.gmbpdb.org.uk