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Taxi drivers target for attacks
31/ 7/2008
A SERIES of attacks has left a taxi firm struggling to find drivers willing to take fares from North Reddish, Stockport.
Mahmood Alam, boss of Heatons Hire, says the latest incident, on Belvedere Avenue on Saturday (July 26) at around 3am, saw a thug hurl a brick through a cab window. A man in a balaclava shouted ‘give me the money’.
The driver managed to escape but a colleague was less lucky when a gang of three masked men struck on July 20 in the early hours.
They yanked open the door as their victim was parked on Oswald Street and demanded money before escaping with £130 and a sat nav.
Although Mahmood issues safety advice to drivers he says they are becoming increasingly worried about working in the north Reddish area.
He said: "It is getting hard to find drivers willing to go there, they are trying to avoid the area. Around north Reddish there are a lot of places to hide while a taxi is waiting at traffic lights.
"I don’t want any of my drivers to become a victim of violence so I advise them to keep their doors locked and keep an eye out, but crooks have iron bars or a brick to smash the window.
"I tell my drivers if they can’t get away give the robbers what they want. I am concerned someone will get badly hurt."
A third incident involving a Heatons Hire driver happened at the start of the month where money was stolen in Lancashire Hill.
Detective Inspector Terry Sweeney, from Stockport CID, says working late night can put drivers at greater risk.
He said: "Working at night on their own can put drivers in a vulnerable position so I would ask people to keep their eyes open and anyone who sees anyone in trouble to immediately ring the police.
"Cabbies work long and anti-social hours to provide a service to members of the public who like to go out for a drink. It means they can get home safely and reduce the risk of road accidents."
Anyone with information can contact Stockport CID on 856 8845 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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31/07/2008 at 19:02