HULL

TAXI drivers are warning people to stay safe after reports of people offering lifts for sale on Facebook.

Licensed drivers say those accepting lifts from people who have offered low prices for lifts are putting their lives in danger.

Peter Nilsson, of Hull Hackney Carriage Drivers, said: "Not only are these people not insured, but they have not gone through the rigorous safety checks licensed drivers have to in order to become a taxi driver.

"People have no idea who they are getting into a car with.

"This is where people end up getting sexually assaulted and raped."

Drivers say the problem peaked over the Christmas and new year period, but is happening every week in Hull.

Hull Private Hire Association secretary Cally Harrison is urging people not to accept lifts from the drivers.

She said: "Not only are these people a potential danger to anyone who takes them up on the offer, but heaven forbid if they have an accident they will not be insured correctly.

"These people have not been granted a licence by Hull City Council and this, therefore, poses a huge risk.

"Our drivers have had to go through a very rigorous application process to be granted a badge to operate as a private hire driver. This is to ensure the safety of the public."

Taxi drivers are now urging Hull City Council's licensing department to take action against those offering their services in Facebook groups.

Mr Nilsson met with licensing officers at the council yesterday to discuss the problem.

He said: "The council needs intelligence on people who are offering taxi rides illegally. The more times these people are reported, the better.

"The council can then see that these people are offering their services regularly, then they can build up a case."

Hull City Council is now urging people to only use licensed taxis for their own safety and to check any vehicle before getting into it.

Licensing manager Keith Fenner said: "Using an unmarked car could put you at risk.

"Drivers who are not licensed with the council have not had any background checks, their vehicles may not be properly maintained and they will not have the proper insurance.

"Do not use unlicensed operators or get into an unlicensed vehicle under any circumstances.

"In Hull, we have a number of designated taxi ranks where people can wait for a hackney carriage and a number of private hire companies who work hard to make sure the public get home safely.

"Either use your nearest taxi rank or pre-book a private hire vehicle through a licensed company."

The council also wants people to report unlicensed vehicles or unlicensed operators advertising on Facebook to report them to the licensing team on 01482 300300.

http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Hull-taxi-drivers-warning-lifts-sale-Facebook/story-28462994-detail/story.html
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STOKE

POLICE are investigating a second incident linked to a vandal attack on a taxi transporting a mother and baby.


Officers are already looking for the man who hurled a brick through the window of a City Centre taxi in Irene Avenue, Mill Hill, on New Year's Day.

The shattered glass from the smashed window narrowly missed a mum and her baby son in the back seat.

Now it has emerged a number of cabbies drove around the area and stopped the man suspected of the vandal attack in Irene Avenue 20 minutes later. But he was joined by a second man and a fight broke out which left two cabbies with minor injuries.

It has been claimed that one of the drivers was stabbed.

A police spokesman said: "The criminal damage was caused to the taxi at 6.25pm in Irene Avenue and no description of the suspect was given.

"Colleagues of the taxi driver are then reported to have driven around the area and at around 6.45pm have stopped a man suspected to have been involved in the damage incident.

"A second man then arrived and assaulted the two taxi drivers causing minor injuries.

"Inquiries into this incident are ongoing."

Police are appealing for witnesses to both incidents.

Anyone with information should call the police on 101, quoting incident number 850 of January 1.


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STALYBRIDGE

Police hunt for taxi driver after teenager is raped after getting into black cab


The 18-year-old got into a taxi after celebrating New Year's Eve but the driver took her to wasteland and raped her

An 18-year-old woman was raped after she headed home after celebrating New Year’s Eve.

The female has told police she got into a black cab in Stalybridge to return home but the driver of the vehicle drove her away from her home.

The driver pulled up on wasteland on Castle Street near to the Texaco petrol station in Stalybridge where he raped her, reports the Manchester Evening News .

The man is described as Asian, around 27 years old, around 5ft 8in, slim/medium build with short dark hair that is longer on top and stubble.

The man was wearing jeans and spoke with an Asian accent.

It is understood the female got into the vehicle between 4.30am and 6.30am on January 1.

Det Sgt Zoe Stapleton from Greater Manchester Police's Tameside Division said: "This is a despicable act which has left a young woman completely distraught.

"We are doing everything we can to find the person responsible but we need the public’s help.

"We are currently checking CCTV in the area but we are appealing for anyone who may have seen anything suspicious or have any information about the attacker to come forward.

"You may think your information is trivial, but it could be vital to our investigation, so please call us and tell us what you know."

Police are investigating whether the man was a genuine taxi driver and if the vehicle was licensed.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/police-hunt-taxi-driver-after-7118041
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