Cabbies fear as driver robbed at knifepoint in sixth attack

Photo: Paul Sterritt

CONCERN . . . driver Adrees Ahmed, who is considering installing CCTV in his vehicle, said drivers are “very worried about going out late at night and picking up young people who are drunk”

WORRIED cabbies are “taking a big risk going to work” after a string of violent attacks.


Drivers are beginning to fear for their own safety and are considering not taking bookings from withheld phone numbers to help halt the spate of violence.

The news comes in the wake of six incidents in three months — some involving thugs armed with a knife. Police have not ruled out a link between the attacks.

The latest incident, last Wednesday, is being treated as racially motivated after a cab driver was robbed at knife point by two thugs on Richmond Walk.

Andrees Ahmed (33), a self-employed hackney carriage driver, said concern was growing among his colleagues.

He said: “I haven’t installed CCTV in my car yet but I’m definitely thinking of doing it to put people off.

“We are all very worried about going out late at night and picking up young people who are drunk.”

Drivers have been offered personal attack alarms by police.

Private-hire driver Mohammed Amin (39), of Clarksfield, said he had experienced several violent incidents but admitted the need to work forced colleagues to take the risk.

He said: “Yes we have a lot of problems with some customers, particularly at weekends. If people are looking to cause trouble they use withheld numbers. Sometimes a woman will book, then men will get in.

“Two years ago some lads I picked up wanted to go to Saddleworth at about 2.30am. They were eating in the back and I kept telling them to stop. They tried to punch me while I was still driving the car.”

“Another time I got a smashed window after some people had refused to pay a fare and demanded money back.

“We are obviously worried. There is a driver injured in hospital. We are taking a big risk going out but we have to make a living.”