Wednesday, 17 September 2014
Bury
Detectives are hunting a taxi driver over an alleged kidnapping with the intent of committing a sex attack.
Atif Rafiq, 32, is wanted in connection with an incident in a cab in the Bury area in September last year.
Officers have tried to find him for several months, but he has not surrendered to police.
It is believed Rafiq may now be in Pakistan, but officers cannot rule out that he has stayed in Greater Manchester.
Detectives say he is wanted over an allegation of kidnapping with intent to commit a sexual offence dating back to September 2013.
Det Con Chris Maddocks, from the Greater Manchester Police Serious Sexual Offences Unit, said: “Rafiq worked as a taxi driver in the Bury area and someone will know him or will have seen him or continue to be in contact with him.
“I would appeal for those individuals with knowledge of him to come forward, either by calling me directly or Crimestoppers anonymously, as it is absolutely imperative that we find him.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/plea-help-find-taxi-driver-7786111?
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Gloucester
A teenager told a court she believed a taxi driver was trying to make her have sex with him instead of paying the far when he put his hand on her groin.
Cabbie Arshad Mehmood stands accused of sexually assaulting the Tewkesbury student he was driving home from Worcester at around 7pm on November 26, 2013.
The woman told Gloucester Crown Court on Wednesday she had picked up the cab from the railway station after her train was delayed.
She said when the taxi got to her home town; he began moving his hand up her leg and touching her groin from outside of her trousers.
She told the jury: “He said I didn’t have to pay if I took him back to my house. I said I wasn’t that sort of person.
“He said he would give me lots of free taxi rides – and I thought he meant probably in exchange for sex.
“He grabbed the money I had in my hand and I gave him a fake number, grabbed my stuff and got out of the car.”
She said when 28-year-old Mehmood tried to call the number and realised it was not ringing, he called her names.
The court heard the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, approached two women in the street and asked them to pretend they knew her and they walked down the road with her.
Prosecutor Kenneth Bell said she memorised the car’s number plate and contacted police when she returned home.
Mr Bell told the jury of six men and six women: “She went to the train station and it was cancelled and so she had to get a taxi. She took some money out and approached a taxi and asked how much to Tewkesbury. She was quoted £30 and got in and off they went.
“Before they left Worcester he put his hand on her right thigh and began engaging her in conversation.
“She was listening to her iPhone and put her ear phones in and he removed his hand shortly after.
“But when they arrived in Tewkesbury he put his hand on her right thigh and moved it up gradually towards her groin.
“He made comments such as ‘I like you’, ‘do you have a boyfriend?’ and when the taxi stopped he tried to hug her.”
But Mehmood of Carlisle Road in Worcester denied ever touching the young woman. He said she had refused to pay the taxi fare and he said he would call the police.
Defending Jason Patel said the pair had not agreed on a price, but the cab was running on a meter that came to £28.60.
He suggested to the woman that she felt ripped off and refused to pay more than £20.
She replied: “The guy was scaring me. I got out the car and gave him the money. I wouldn’t create an argument over £10 right near my home when I had money in the bank.”
The trial continues.
http://www.gloucestershireecho.co.uk/Tewesbury-teenager-said-taxi-driver-touched-groin/story-22938951-detail/story.html?
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Belfast
Police are investigating reports a 19-year-old girl was assaulted after taking a taxi from south Belfast to Lisburn.
The attack is believed to have happened at Carr Road, Lisburn in the early hours of Tuesday.
The girl was driven there by taxi after being picked up at 1.30am outside a pub in the Lower Crescent area of south Belfast. The assault was reported at 3.40am.
She has been described as being around 5'6'' tall with long, dark hair and was wearing a pink skirt and grey vest top. The incident is being investigated by the PSNI's Serious Crime Branch.
Police said a man had been in the taxi with the girl but was dropped off at his destination before the incident took place, and officers are keen to speak to him.
Detective Sergeant Gary Chambers said: "Enquiries are continuing.
"Police would like to speak with a male passenger who was in the taxi but was dropped off to his destination prior to the incident, who might be able to assist with their enquiries.
"Anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the Carr Road area prior to 3.40am or the passenger of the vehicle is asked to contact detectives on the non-emergency number 101."
http://www.u.tv/News/Girl-assaulted-after-taking-taxi/fa3887b2-61c4-41d4-bc54-2d044afe7aa7?
Detectives are hunting a taxi driver over an alleged kidnapping with the intent of committing a sex attack.
Atif Rafiq, 32, is wanted in connection with an incident in a cab in the Bury area in September last year.
Officers have tried to find him for several months, but he has not surrendered to police.
It is believed Rafiq may now be in Pakistan, but officers cannot rule out that he has stayed in Greater Manchester.
Detectives say he is wanted over an allegation of kidnapping with intent to commit a sexual offence dating back to September 2013.
Det Con Chris Maddocks, from the Greater Manchester Police Serious Sexual Offences Unit, said: “Rafiq worked as a taxi driver in the Bury area and someone will know him or will have seen him or continue to be in contact with him.
“I would appeal for those individuals with knowledge of him to come forward, either by calling me directly or Crimestoppers anonymously, as it is absolutely imperative that we find him.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/plea-help-find-taxi-driver-7786111?
----------------------------------------------------------
Gloucester
A teenager told a court she believed a taxi driver was trying to make her have sex with him instead of paying the far when he put his hand on her groin.
Cabbie Arshad Mehmood stands accused of sexually assaulting the Tewkesbury student he was driving home from Worcester at around 7pm on November 26, 2013.
The woman told Gloucester Crown Court on Wednesday she had picked up the cab from the railway station after her train was delayed.
She said when the taxi got to her home town; he began moving his hand up her leg and touching her groin from outside of her trousers.
She told the jury: “He said I didn’t have to pay if I took him back to my house. I said I wasn’t that sort of person.
“He said he would give me lots of free taxi rides – and I thought he meant probably in exchange for sex.
“He grabbed the money I had in my hand and I gave him a fake number, grabbed my stuff and got out of the car.”
She said when 28-year-old Mehmood tried to call the number and realised it was not ringing, he called her names.
The court heard the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, approached two women in the street and asked them to pretend they knew her and they walked down the road with her.
Prosecutor Kenneth Bell said she memorised the car’s number plate and contacted police when she returned home.
Mr Bell told the jury of six men and six women: “She went to the train station and it was cancelled and so she had to get a taxi. She took some money out and approached a taxi and asked how much to Tewkesbury. She was quoted £30 and got in and off they went.
“Before they left Worcester he put his hand on her right thigh and began engaging her in conversation.
“She was listening to her iPhone and put her ear phones in and he removed his hand shortly after.
“But when they arrived in Tewkesbury he put his hand on her right thigh and moved it up gradually towards her groin.
“He made comments such as ‘I like you’, ‘do you have a boyfriend?’ and when the taxi stopped he tried to hug her.”
But Mehmood of Carlisle Road in Worcester denied ever touching the young woman. He said she had refused to pay the taxi fare and he said he would call the police.
Defending Jason Patel said the pair had not agreed on a price, but the cab was running on a meter that came to £28.60.
He suggested to the woman that she felt ripped off and refused to pay more than £20.
She replied: “The guy was scaring me. I got out the car and gave him the money. I wouldn’t create an argument over £10 right near my home when I had money in the bank.”
The trial continues.
http://www.gloucestershireecho.co.uk/Tewesbury-teenager-said-taxi-driver-touched-groin/story-22938951-detail/story.html?
-------------------------------------------------------
Belfast
Police are investigating reports a 19-year-old girl was assaulted after taking a taxi from south Belfast to Lisburn.
The attack is believed to have happened at Carr Road, Lisburn in the early hours of Tuesday.
The girl was driven there by taxi after being picked up at 1.30am outside a pub in the Lower Crescent area of south Belfast. The assault was reported at 3.40am.
She has been described as being around 5'6'' tall with long, dark hair and was wearing a pink skirt and grey vest top. The incident is being investigated by the PSNI's Serious Crime Branch.
Police said a man had been in the taxi with the girl but was dropped off at his destination before the incident took place, and officers are keen to speak to him.
Detective Sergeant Gary Chambers said: "Enquiries are continuing.
"Police would like to speak with a male passenger who was in the taxi but was dropped off to his destination prior to the incident, who might be able to assist with their enquiries.
"Anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the Carr Road area prior to 3.40am or the passenger of the vehicle is asked to contact detectives on the non-emergency number 101."
http://www.u.tv/News/Girl-assaulted-after-taking-taxi/fa3887b2-61c4-41d4-bc54-2d044afe7aa7?
Tuesday, 16 September 2014
Press release.; International Transport Workers.
Taxi unions to take on Uber app
16 September 2014
Taxi worker unions meeting in Belgium today pledged to take action to prevent potentially unsafe competition by non-regulated freelance companies using app technologies.
Taxi worker trade unions that are members of the ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) from Europe, Canada, India and the USA met yesterday and today to explore joint action to defend accountable, regulated and knowledgeable taxi and courier services. They have decided to stage further protest actions on 8 October and to work together with governments and employers that share that priority.
The meeting, hosted by ITF Belgian affiliates BTB and ACV Transcom, examined how Uber Technologies Inc (Uber) and other taxi/courier app firms such as Lyft and Gett are increasing their market share in many countries. The companies promote themselves as electronic marketplaces that connect customers and drivers using mobile apps, often illegally, in conflict with existing taxi service regulations.
Concluding the meeting, ITF road transport section vice-chair Frank Moreels said: “Unions are certainly not against computer technology in the taxi sector. What we are against is these companies undermining public safety and the jobs of real, regulated taxi drivers by bypassing regulations and refusing liability in the case of accidents. That is why unions across the globe have come together and agreed some common steps to take.”
Uber is present in more than 205 cities in 45 countries across six continents. This summer has seen protests against it by registered taxi operators in cities including London, Berlin, Madrid, Paris, Milan and Seattle. Germany banned the Uber app at the start of September, while unions in Belgium are working with employers and authorities to confront Uber and protect standards for both drivers and passengers.
ENDS
http://www.itfglobal.org/press-area/index.cfm/pressdetail/10868
Taxi unions to take on Uber app
16 September 2014
Taxi worker unions meeting in Belgium today pledged to take action to prevent potentially unsafe competition by non-regulated freelance companies using app technologies.
Taxi worker trade unions that are members of the ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) from Europe, Canada, India and the USA met yesterday and today to explore joint action to defend accountable, regulated and knowledgeable taxi and courier services. They have decided to stage further protest actions on 8 October and to work together with governments and employers that share that priority.
The meeting, hosted by ITF Belgian affiliates BTB and ACV Transcom, examined how Uber Technologies Inc (Uber) and other taxi/courier app firms such as Lyft and Gett are increasing their market share in many countries. The companies promote themselves as electronic marketplaces that connect customers and drivers using mobile apps, often illegally, in conflict with existing taxi service regulations.
Concluding the meeting, ITF road transport section vice-chair Frank Moreels said: “Unions are certainly not against computer technology in the taxi sector. What we are against is these companies undermining public safety and the jobs of real, regulated taxi drivers by bypassing regulations and refusing liability in the case of accidents. That is why unions across the globe have come together and agreed some common steps to take.”
Uber is present in more than 205 cities in 45 countries across six continents. This summer has seen protests against it by registered taxi operators in cities including London, Berlin, Madrid, Paris, Milan and Seattle. Germany banned the Uber app at the start of September, while unions in Belgium are working with employers and authorities to confront Uber and protect standards for both drivers and passengers.
ENDS
http://www.itfglobal.org/press-area/index.cfm/pressdetail/10868
Manchester the Sex Attack Capital of the UK.
Child protection bosses warned Manchester must not become 'another Rotherham' after damning report by Ofsted
Councillors 'devastated, shocked and ashamed' as government say they could take over 'inadequate' service if urgent improvements are not made
Furious councillors have warned childcare bosses in Manchester that the city ‘must not become another Rotherham’.
The development came as ministers dramatically stepped in after Manchester council’s child protection department was labelled ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted.
The inspectors had said children could potentially be at risk.
The government has now served an improvement notice on the department.
Children’s minister Edward Timpson has written to the council demanding urgent action. If that doesn’t happen, the government has powers to take over the service.
Worried councillors said they were ‘devastated’, ‘shocked’ and ‘ashamed’ by the inspectorate’s findings and have warned bosses they do not want any more ‘nasty surprises’.
Coun Julie Reid, chair of the children’s committee, told senior officers this morning that there must be no Rotherham-style ‘cover-up’ of the unit’s problems, adding: “If we don’t address it, the Department for Education will come in and say it’s over.”
Ofsted’s highly-critical report found a backlog of nearly 500 cases waiting to be assessed by social workers - and gave the department the lowest possible rating.
Members of the children’s scrutiny committee raised fears of another Rotherham-style scandal waiting to happen.
Coun Sameem Ali asked officers: “Are there going to be any more nasty surprises? Are we are going to see any more reports coming out like Rochdale and Rotherham? There can’t be any more surprises.”
In response, children’s services director Mike Livingstone revealed an independent review had been launched to see what lessons could be learned from Rotherham.
But he also outlined a raft of steps already being taken - including hiring more social workers and managers and setting up an independent ‘improvement board’.
But some councillors expressed dismay that officers had been ‘dishonest’ in their previous explanation of the service’s performance.
Coun Reid said the crisis must be tackled by everyone within the council and not just her committee.
She said: As we know, in Rotherham it was the chief executive that took the rap for it."
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/child-protection-bosses-warned-manchester-7779450
Child protection bosses warned Manchester must not become 'another Rotherham' after damning report by Ofsted
Councillors 'devastated, shocked and ashamed' as government say they could take over 'inadequate' service if urgent improvements are not made
Furious councillors have warned childcare bosses in Manchester that the city ‘must not become another Rotherham’.
The development came as ministers dramatically stepped in after Manchester council’s child protection department was labelled ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted.
The inspectors had said children could potentially be at risk.
The government has now served an improvement notice on the department.
Children’s minister Edward Timpson has written to the council demanding urgent action. If that doesn’t happen, the government has powers to take over the service.
Worried councillors said they were ‘devastated’, ‘shocked’ and ‘ashamed’ by the inspectorate’s findings and have warned bosses they do not want any more ‘nasty surprises’.
Coun Julie Reid, chair of the children’s committee, told senior officers this morning that there must be no Rotherham-style ‘cover-up’ of the unit’s problems, adding: “If we don’t address it, the Department for Education will come in and say it’s over.”
Ofsted’s highly-critical report found a backlog of nearly 500 cases waiting to be assessed by social workers - and gave the department the lowest possible rating.
Members of the children’s scrutiny committee raised fears of another Rotherham-style scandal waiting to happen.
Coun Sameem Ali asked officers: “Are there going to be any more nasty surprises? Are we are going to see any more reports coming out like Rochdale and Rotherham? There can’t be any more surprises.”
In response, children’s services director Mike Livingstone revealed an independent review had been launched to see what lessons could be learned from Rotherham.
But he also outlined a raft of steps already being taken - including hiring more social workers and managers and setting up an independent ‘improvement board’.
But some councillors expressed dismay that officers had been ‘dishonest’ in their previous explanation of the service’s performance.
Coun Reid said the crisis must be tackled by everyone within the council and not just her committee.
She said: As we know, in Rotherham it was the chief executive that took the rap for it."
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/child-protection-bosses-warned-manchester-7779450
Monday, 15 September 2014
A body has been found in a burning skip on a main road into Manchester city centre.
Police and fire crews were called to a skip wagon on fire, on the car park adjacent to the Apollo Theatre on the A57 Hyde Road in Ardwick, at about 05:30 BST.
A body was discovered inside, though police said they do not yet know if the body is a man or a woman.
The main road has been closed and a police investigation is under way.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-29201970
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Rachel Thacker was found within yards of this spot in August 1996.
In 2010 Rachel's mother expressed fears Duncan Bermingham ,Rachel's murderer was due to be released.
If todays body turn's out to be a young woman ....Who knows. ?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/northwest/series10/week8_bogus_taxis.shtml
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/fears-murderer-of-burntwood-student-could-249111
Police and fire crews were called to a skip wagon on fire, on the car park adjacent to the Apollo Theatre on the A57 Hyde Road in Ardwick, at about 05:30 BST.
A body was discovered inside, though police said they do not yet know if the body is a man or a woman.
The main road has been closed and a police investigation is under way.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-29201970
--------------------------------------------------------
Rachel Thacker was found within yards of this spot in August 1996.
In 2010 Rachel's mother expressed fears Duncan Bermingham ,Rachel's murderer was due to be released.
If todays body turn's out to be a young woman ....Who knows. ?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/northwest/series10/week8_bogus_taxis.shtml
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/fears-murderer-of-burntwood-student-could-249111
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