A private hire driver who punched his wife has been warned by licensing chiefs but can continue working.
According to the Glasgow Times, Muhammad Naseem’s licence has been renewed for a restricted period of one year, despite an objection from Police Scotland.
Councillors on the city’s licensing committee heard that the driver had assaulted his partner in October 2021 by “pushing her and punching her to the stomach and thigh”.
He also “did resist, obstruct or hinder” police officers in “the execution of duty” by pushing them away, the committee was told.
An officer said Mr Naseem was ordered to carry out 60 hours of unpaid work, and Police Scotland believe he was “not a fit and proper person” to hold a licence.
The driver, who said he was back with his wife, told councillors he had “many regrets”. “I’ve learned my lesson, I have apologised to my wife,” he added.
Cllr Alex Wilson, SNP, the licensing committee chairman, said: “I can’t ever forgive anyone for hitting a female. I think it’s abhorrent, under any circumstances why would you possibly hit a female?
“What makes it even worse is that’s the female you are supposed to love, protect, look after. You lifted your hands to that female, that’s disgusting. There’s no excuse.”
Bailie Thomas Kerr, seconded by Cllr Wilson, suggested the application should be refused.
Bailie Hanif Raja, seconded by Cllr Sean Ferguson, moved the application should be granted for a restricted one-year period and a warning issued.
The renewal application was granted, passing by five votes to two.
Mr Naseem said: “When I look back, I see the mistakes I have made regarding Police Scotland as well.
"I should have dealt with it a bit better. I panicked, maybe scared at the same time.
“I have been driving for a long time and I take my work very seriously. I have no issues with the public, I’m not a threat to my wife and I genuinely am very, very sorry for my mistake.”
A consultation on a review of Derbyshire Dales Distrcit Council's Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Policy will run from 1st September until Friday 27th October 2023.
The review will ensure that policy complies with the Government’s Statutory Taxi & Private Hire Vehicle Standards and current best practice guidance.
The current policy was first introduced in 2009 and reviewed and republished in May 2018. During that period several minor amendments were made to keep the policy up-to-date with some legislative changes and some local changes.
The council now seeks to improve further some areas of this policy, whilst ensuring that any new requirements are reasonable, fair, proportionate and enforceable, and continue to provide protection for the public who use the service.
The proposed revisions, updates and amendments to the policy focus mainly on requirements in respect of checking the suitability of individuals and operators to be licensed.
Also included are requirements introduced with the implementation of the Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Act 2022.
Since April 2022, councils have had a duty to record and search information about drivers and would-be drivers in a national database before granting a licence, to report drivers licensed by other councils where there are safeguarding or road safety concerns, and to have procedures in place to deal with reports from other councils about drivers, which could lead to suspension or revocation of a licence.
The Draft Taxi and Private Hire Licensing policy document [PDF] comprises two parts:
Click here to view: http://bit.ly/3Pov1O9
The final policy document will be presented back to the Licensing and Appeals Committee for further consideration in December so that a final Draft document can be considered by the full council, with a view to adoption early in 2024.
Comments should be submitted in writing, so they can be easily collated for consideration at the end of the consultation period.
It would also be useful if you could state your name and any organisation or persons you may be responding on behalf of, as this will help to understand the context of your comments.
If you wish to discuss the draft Policy before commenting, please contact the Licensing Manager by email at licensing@derbyshiredales.gov.uk or by telephoning 01629 761374.
A private hire vehicle was set alight by a group of mask-wearing people in a suspected arson attack.
According to the BristolLive, Bristol private hire driver Ihsan-Ullah Yousaf was woken up in the early hours of Saturday September, to find his car was in flames.
He had only returned home from working about an hour before the incident.
Mr Yousaf, from Henbury, said: “I work as a taxi driver and returned home just after 1am. There was a group of people in the street, some were wearing masks.
“I parked up and went to sleep, but after about an hour I was woken by a loud noise. It was a car alarm and when I looked out of the window I saw my car was in flames.”
He said he rushed outside and was joined by other neighbours in the street.
He said: “My car was on fire, someone called the fire brigade, I was shocked.”
The 35-year-old added that he rang the police, but was still waiting for a reference number.
He said: “I feel it could be racial abuse, I was attacked in my house before.”
When Mr Yousaf contacted Bristol Live, he said he was 'still in a state of shock'. "My car is completely destroyed and I can’t work,” he said.
He questioned why a group of people were hanging around his residential area in the early hours of the morning.
“I contacted some of my neighbours with a doorbell camera and you can see someone standing next to my car and then it’s on fire.”
Source: https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-taxi-driver-a-state-8723113
The cost of using a black cab in Sefton is to go up in October.
Liverpool World reports that the price rises could see fares rise by between 8% and 18% depending on the tariff.
The fare increases reflect changes in costs for cab drivers in the borough, according to a council report. Sefton’s licensing committee will consider the proposals on Monday 4 September.
The report notes that the borough has lost over 60 hackney drivers since 2020 and it is hoped the changes will allow the borough to “maintain the current number of vehicles available as well as retaining and attracting new drivers and owners.”
If the plans are accepted by the borough’s licensing committee, a 14-day advertising period will be put in place .
If no objections are received, the council could move forward with implementing the rate rise by October 1.
Two cars have been left damaged after a private hire vehicle allegedly hit one and drove off.
WalesOnline reports that a man claims his mobility car and his neighbours' car have been left "undrivable" after a Dragon Taxis vehicle reportedly collided with one of them in the early hours of Bank Holiday Sunday, August 27.
David Blannin said he heard "really loud crashes" when a vehicle hit his neighbours' car on Carlisle Street in Splott, Cardiff.
He said that the force of the collision was so great that his neighbours' car veered into his, moving it.
He said that he "looked out to see a car disappearing down the top of my road".
He said his neighbours then shared CCTV with him which reportedly shows a Dragon Taxi vehicle driving on the street.
He claims that his vehicle which he has had for a year and is a mobility vehicle is undrivable as a result of the damage. "I'm stuck in now and can't do anything or go anywhere," said David.
"It looks like it [the car] has hit my neighbour's car with such force that it's then hit mine out of the disabled bay."
David, 65, says he has lived on the street for around 30 years and claims that his neighbours have had other vehicles "written off" due to being hit on the street over the years.
Dragon Taxis say an investigation has been launched into the incident.
A spokesperson for Dragon Taxis said: “We have been made aware of an incident in Carlisle Street, Splott, Cardiff, in the early hours of August 27.
"An investigation has been launched, and pending the outcome of this investigation a Driver-Partner has disengaged from the Dragon Taxis booking system.
"The company has made contact with the person who highlighted this incident, and is currently helping to resolve the issue of insurance with those affected as quickly as possible."
The firm says it is also in contact with Cardiff Council, as the relevant local licensing authority.
Source: https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/cars-damaged-after-taxi-allegedly-27627989
A local councillor has sparked a debate on passenger safety after claiming that using locally licensed taxis is safer than hailing an Uber.
A taxi driver was attacked and subjected to racist abuse after two brothers refused to pay him up front.
Christopher Hilling, 64, admitted to engaging a child in sexual activity at Chelmsford Crown Court on Thursday 8 August.
Abdigani Ebrahim, 38, of Grangetown, admitted charges of affray and criminal damage following the incident in Northcote Street, Roath, last July.
The crackdown targeted drivers operating across council boundaries to ensure public safety and compliance with regulations.
Lucio Valentino relies on his six-year-old Border Collie, Pixel, to help manage his mental health conditions, including depression and personality disorders.
Taxi drivers across the Fylde Coast are set to receive a briefing note aimed at clearing up confusion over out-of-area private hire vehicles.
Police are appealing to find a taxi driver who may have "vital clues" about the murder of Ryan Passey seven years ago since he was fatally stabbed in a Stourbridge nightclub.
A joint operation by Hull City Council, Wolverhampton Council, and Humberside Police has uncovered a number of safety issues with taxis operating in the city.
French taxi drivers are calling for government compensation after suffering significant revenue losses during the Paris Olympics.
Coventry city centre has introduced a new taxi marshal service aimed at improving safety and efficiency for late-night revellers.
A court heard harrowing details of the moment a drink-driving uninsured motorist killed three people in a 90mph crash.
The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans was amongst the thousands who enjoyed the Battle Proms at Highclere Castle on 3 August.
Swindon residents could be facing a hike in taxi fares from October after councillors gave the green light to a £1 increase in the standard fare minimum charge.
Ricky Harold, a 20-year veteran of the town’s taxi trade, was parked in a lay-by when his vehicle was struck from behind by a black Audi A2.
Chinese automotive giant Geely has deepened its commitment to the UK electric vehicle market with a £120m cash injection into London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC).
North Tyneside Council is facing a backlash over plans to increase taxi fares by 6.3%.
Nazim Asmal preyed on his victims after nights out in Preston and Darwen, driving them to secluded spots before carrying out horrific sexual assaults.
Newcastle is set to see a surge in pink taxis driven by women as part of a new initiative aimed at improving passenger safety.
An unlicensed taxi driver who picked up two vulnerable women in Aberdare has been ordered to pay nearly £1,500 in fines and costs.