A Dundee taxi driver has revealed he's too afraid to work weekend nights due to a surge in physical abuse from intoxicated passengers.

Andy Sturrock, 47, a driver for City Cabs 450450, recounts a litany of assaults over his 12-year career, including being struck with a bottle, punched, spat upon, and having his vehicle vandalised.

"The problem is getting worse with taxi drivers being fair game for passengers – many of whom are under the influence of drink or drugs when they lash out at us," Sturrock explained.

He now avoids Friday and Saturday nights altogether, citing the escalating danger. "The situation is now so bad I will not work nights at the weekends – it’s too dangerous.”

He also noted the concerning trend of daytime assaults due to the rise of day clubs.

Sturrock's experiences are not isolated. Chris Elder, a union representative with Unite the Union, which represents some Dundee drivers, confirmed the prevalence of such incidents. "Many of our members regularly report attacks and abuse and anti-social behaviour," Elder stated.

He himself was the victim of an attempted robbery while driving. "It’s pretty scary to be in a cab with someone who is lashing out at you."

Unite the Union is spearheading a campaign, with the support of Dundee City Council and Police Scotland, to combat the abuse of cab drivers. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the issue and secure local authority support.

Peter Marr of City Cabs 450450 highlighted additional challenges faced by drivers, including verbal abuse, often of a racist nature, and attempted robberies. "Verbal abuse, including racist comments, happens all the time and there are also reports of drivers being attacked by someone trying to rob them," Marr said. He also revealed that the company maintains a list of addresses known to be problematic, which drivers avoid.

Police Constable Matthew Simpson expressed his support for the campaign, emphasising that violence and abuse against taxi drivers will not be tolerated. "Everyone has the right to go to work and carry out their duties without fear of being subjected to violence, abuse or intimidation," Constable Simpson said. "Such behaviour is not tolerated. Where offences are reported, officers will investigate and take appropriate action when offenders are identified.”

• Share on Facebook
• Tweet about it

Dorset Police is investigating a racially aggravated assault on a taxi driver in Bournemouth.

The incident occurred around 11:50 pm on 5 January, on Holdenhurst Road.

A male taxi driver was parked when a man approached the passenger side of the vehicle, shouting and swearing.

The man then directed racial abuse at the driver, prompting the passenger to exit the taxi.

During the altercation, the man assaulted the driver, causing an eye injury.

Police Constable Morgan Dew of Bournemouth police described the attack as “a frightening and unprovoked assault that has had a significant impact on the victim.”

He added, “As part of my investigation, I am issuing an image of a man I would like to identify and would urge anyone who recognises him to please come forward.

"We do not tolerate racial abuse and will do all we can to identify the person involved.”

Police are appealing for information and urge anyone who recognises the man in the image to contact Dorset Police online at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55250002063.

Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.

• Share on Facebook
• Tweet about it

Black cabs are set to return to the street outside the main entrance of Nottingham Railway Station after a decade-long absence, as part of an 18-month pilot programme beginning in February.

The trial aims to establish a “permanent safe option” for increased taxi accessibility outside the station, according to Nottingham City Council.

Eight dedicated wheelchair-accessible spaces will be created on Carrington Street, along with an additional eight-space “feeder” rank on nearby Arkwright Street.

“Following feedback from disabled residents and residents with young children, we are trialling a new taxi rank close to the front of the station, to improve accessibility,” said Councillor Neghat Khan, leader of the council.

 “I encourage residents, visitors, and transport users to share their feedback so we can assess the impact of these changes and make informed decisions for the future.”

The new taxi ranks will be implemented on Monday, 3 February. As part of the changes, the existing taxi spaces on Trent Street will be reduced and replaced with a new pick-up and drop-off bay.

Cyclists will still be able to use the route, despite the removal of markings for the advisory cycle lane, which the council described as a “quiet route.”

Under the new system, taxis will access Carrington Street via Arkwright Street and exit via Canal Street, with U-turns prohibited. The current five-minute waiting bay outside Loxley House will be repurposed into a bay for disabled badge holders and a short wheelchair-accessible taxi bay.

The city council has announced a six-month “objection period” during which they are actively soliciting feedback from the public regarding the trial.

• Share on Facebook
• Tweet about it

A car crashed through the front of A1 Taxis' office in Station Yard, Hinckley, on Thursday morning, 30 January, causing substantial damage to the building.

The incident occurred around 9:10am, shortly after the vehicle reportedly exited the Tesco car park.

Emergency services, including crews from Hinckley Fire and Rescue Station and a technical rescue team, were dispatched to the scene at 9:34am.

A building inspector was also called to assess the structural integrity of the taxi office. Leicestershire Police officers were on site to manage the aftermath of the collision.

Despite the significant damage, both Leicestershire Police and Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that there were no life-threatening or life-changing injuries, and no one was trapped inside the building.

A police spokesman stated that no arrests have been made in connection with the incident.

The scene was handed over to the police and the building inspector for further investigation, with emergency services leaving the premises at 11:24am.

• Share on Facebook
• Tweet about it

Steven Greig, a career criminal with nearly 200 prior convictions, has been found guilty of murdering taxi driver, Mark Ward in Dundee.

The brutal attack occurred after Mr Ward, 55, (right) refused to give Greig a cigarette. Greig, 47, now faces a life sentence.

The incident took place on April 6, 2022, in Coupar Angus Road. Witnesses described seeing Greig push Mr Ward down an embankment, leaving him lying lifeless in the road.

Lewis Webster, recounted seeing the two men talking before the “proper push” that sent Mr Ward tumbling. “It wasn't just messing around,” Webster said. “The one who hit his head was lying on the road. The guy who pushed him didn't stop to hang around. Like he was unbothered. Like he didn't care about what happened.”

Another witness, Matthew Coughlin, described seeing the two men “wrestling” before finding Mr Ward on the ground, bleeding and struggling to breathe. 

"The blood’s pouring out his nose,” Coughlin said in his 999 call, played to the jury. “He’s out for the count. You better hurry up or this boy will be away. I don't think this boy's going to live. His head's an awfy mess.”

Mr Ward suffered severe head injuries and required 24-hour care following the attack. A statement presented to the jury detailed the extent of the cabbie’s injuries, stating he was “critically unwell with life-threatening head injuries” and underwent surgery to relieve pressure on his brain.

He remained unable to communicate, move purposefully, or care for himself, requiring tube feeding. He eventually died on April 5, 2023, almost a year to the day after the initial assault. “He was unable to walk, talk or care for himself,” Advocate depute Mark Mohammed KC told the jury.

Greig was already serving a sentence for the initial assault, having been jailed for five years and four months in January 2023. However, following Mr. Ward's death, the Crown brought murder charges.

Greig denied the charges, claiming he did not struggle with Mr Ward, push him, or kick and stamp on his head. He was convicted despite his denials.

The court heard that Greig was on bail at the time of the murder, despite his extensive criminal record, which includes 189 previous convictions for offences such as dishonesty, knife possession, drugs, and traffic violations.

Following his arrest, Greig told police, "I'm on five bails. That's me f----d - all because he wouldn't give me a fag."

Lady Drummond deferred sentencing until March at the High Court in Edinburgh.

• Share on Facebook
• Tweet about it