Liverpool. Extortion at Creamfields.

Horror stories of extortionate fares, threatening behaviour and even theft are emerging about ‘out-of-town’ taxis operating at Creamfields.

Since the annual August Bank Holiday festival, the Weekly News has received disturbing reports of taxi drivers from across the North West taking advantage of the chaotic exodus of thousands of revellers from the site.

One young woman, who asked not to be named, said she was charged £120 by a Liverpool cabbie for the short journey from the Daresbury estate to her home in Halton Lodge.

When she protested and told the man she could not afford the full amount, she alleges that he demanded her designer watch instead.

The girl’s mother told the Weekly News: “My daughter was distraught. She asked why the meter wasn’t running and was told they were not required at Creamfields because the council set the fares. She doesn’t drink and doesn’t take drugs but had a good day and was tired so all she wanted to do was get home and tell us about it.”

Another reveller says he was ripped off for £80 from the site to Daresbury Village and a third claims to have been charged £100 to Runcorn East.

A Liverpool City Council spokesman said: “We are concerned to hear these allegations. All city council taxi drivers are expected to abide by strict regulations.

“They must ensure their meter is engaged at all times and must only charge what is on the meter.

“We also ask passengers to remain vigilant, to make sure the meter is on, and to make a note of the taxi plate number if they experience any issues.

“In this case, if the young lady was forced to draw money out of a cash machine and had personal property taken from her, then this is theft and we would urge her to report it to the police as soon as possible.

“We would also ask her to contact us, providing as many details as she can, so we can look into the matter.”