TAXI driver was stabbed in the shoulder after an attempted robbery at a Darwen petrol station.

Police cordoned off the Shell garage in Blackburn Road this morning after the incident started at 4.30am. 

The man, in his 50s and named locally as Bernard Golding, was at the station paying for petrol when he was stabbed from behind. 

The taxi driver from Chippy’s Taxis was later taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital and is now recovering at home but he is said to be in a state of shock. 

Police are now linking three incidents which happened yesterday morning. 

They received reports of an attempted robbery at the garage where a man entered with a knife and threatened a cashier. 

There was also the attack on the taxi driver and then at 4.55am reports of an attempted break-in in Hawkshaw Avenue, when a window was smashed and somebody had been seen acting suspiciously close by. 

There were several police vehicles and the police helicopter scrambled as officers tried to track down the offender.

Detective Inspector Scott Waddington said: “One man has suffered a serious injury, while several other people have been left extremely shaken by this morning’s events. We also know this will have been concerning for members of the public. 

“Somebody is now in custody and are enquiries are very much ongoing to establish exactly what occurred. In the meantime we will have extra patrols in the area and anybody with concerns is welcome to speak to an officer.

“As part of our enquiries we are now appealing for information from the public and would like to speak to anyone who saw all or part of any of these incidents, or was in the area at around the same time and saw something that seemed suspicious. 

“We’d also ask people to get in touch with us if they have dashcam or CCTV footage which may show something useful.” 

A man aged 28 and from Liverpool was arrested a short time later on suspicion robbery, criminal damage and assault. He remains in custody.

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Taxis in Bury could be allowed to remove their front licence plate, in a bid to prevent them from being attacked by vandals.
Bury Council is considering whether to change its rules on number plates to protect passengers and drivers.

Cabbies have been lobbying the council to remove the requirement for a front licence plate on private hire vehicles and hackney carriages.

This comes after drivers told councillors of attackers targeting taxis and of one case in which yobs threw stones through a window, narrowly missing a man’s head.

Cllr Tahir Rafiq, who chairs the licensing and safety panel, said the move has been proposed for the “betterment” of the taxi drivers and their passengers.

He said: “I consider the safety of both the public and the drivers just as important as each other. Everybody should be able to work in a safe environment.

“Hence why we are looking into this. The safety of both drivers and the public is paramount.”
The proposal comes after one cabbie told councillors of an incident which he believes could have been avoided if the rules were different.

In October, Usman Tariq had been working in Prospect Street, Heywood, when a brick was thrown through his back window littering the passenger seats with broken glass.

He said: “It didn’t frighten me but it was only a one foot gap from maybe hitting me in the head.”
Drivers warned private hire vehicles and taxis are regularly targeted by gangs of vandals who throw bricks and other projectiles.

They called on the local authority to change current rules which they claim enable the thugs to spot taxis from a distance.
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BRIGHTON

Taxi drivers have expressed concern over changes to Brighton Station’s taxi rank which came into force earlier in the month.
Previously situated at the front of Brighton Station, the rank was moved to Stroudley Road – behind the station – on November 11.

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) said the move will improve traffic flow and congestion, especially around Surrey Street, enable quicker access to the A270 and A23 and provide more space for taxis.

The move is intended to clear space for a new-look entrance and GTR says this will allow the taxi rank to remain open on event days such as Brighton Pride and Albion match days.

However, taxi drivers say they have experienced declining customer numbers, congestion, and issues with closure of the rank during the operation of rail replacement buses.

Rahim Fazel, who has been a taxi driver for 17 years, said: “To be honest, it’s costing people more money. I don’t mind, but the customer is not happy. During rail replacement, children and old ladies have to walk in the rain with luggage and have to walk further.”

Andrew Peters, secretary of GMB Brighton and Hove Taxi section, said that GMB members ‘were shocked to be told that the rank would be completely shut when the rail replacement buses are used’ saying this could affect ‘lone women and wheelchair users’.

Mr Peters said he has started a petition to campaign against the changes.

www.brightonandhoveindependent.co.uk

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SWINDON

TAXI marshals will help keep revellers safe in the town centre over Christmas.

inSwindon BID has employed them to work on Saturday evenings from 11pm to 4am and ensure people get home safely. 

CEO Di Powell said: "Our street team ambassadors play an integral role in supporting our businesses during the day, but we want to ensure we’re also supporting and doing our bit for businesses who operate in the evenings.
"We have more than 30 businesses who operate in the night-time economy, making Swindon a vibrant destination in the evenings but we’re wanting to ensure it’s a safe destination for everyone to enjoy. 

"Taxi marshals can assist in supporting the venues with people leaving their premises in an orderly fashion, and by doing so, reduce the impact of noise and other anti-social behaviour to residents living nearby whilst ensuring people get home safely." 

They work with police and patrol the area from John Street in fluorescent jackets. 

The taxi marshals ensure visitors can find a licensed taxi, are fit to travel and can pay taxi fare. They give priority service to vulnerable people and liaise with the police to help crack down on anti-social behaviour. 

PC Paul Bezzant,of the Swindon South Community Policing Team said: “Crime and anti-social behaviour in Swindon is relatively low and that is helped by our work with partners and schemes like this one.

 

"It's our commitment to keep the town a safe and pleasant place to go out and socialise within.

"Although it is everyone’s personal responsibility to keep themselves safe by being mindful where they are and who they are with, the Taxi Marshal scheme gives that additional level of reassurance when someone is wanting a cab – whether they are alone or in a group - as well as helping to reduce anti-social behaviour in the town.” 

Justin Britchford, Manager at MECA and Chair of PubWatch said: “Since the role of the Taxi Marshal has come into place, we’ve seen a positive impact on the level of anti-social behaviour in the town. 

"Funding this role demonstrates how inSwindon BID is committed to supporting the night-time economy and promoting Swindon town centre as a safe and vibrant place to go at night. 

"The marshals are able to reassure people that they will be able to find a licensed taxi in a controlled queue, assisting in preventing anti-social behaviour, improving the safety of vulnerable persons and dealing with confrontational situations.” 

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