Merseyside Police is appealing for information after a man was shot in Tuebrook.

The 27-year-old victim sustained a gunshot wound to his lower leg on Monday, October 28th. He took himself to hospital around 10.10pm.

Detectives believe the shooting occurred around half an hour earlier on Denman Drive, when the victim was targeted as he exited a private hire vehicle.

As part of their investigation, police have released CCTV images of two men they wish to speak to. The footage shows the men walking along Prescot Road at 10.07pm.

Detective Chief Inspector Phil Atkinson urged anyone who recognises the men to come forward.

He stressed the seriousness of the incident and the potential for fatal consequences.

Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 24000917613.

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A Cambridge private hire driver has been ordered to pay £4,500 in legal costs after losing an appeal against the revocation of his licence.

Ahmed Al Ansar, 36, had his licence revoked by South Cambridgeshire District Council in 2021 after picking up a passenger without the necessary legal documents.

The passenger, also a licensed taxi driver, reported Ansar for failing to display the required plates and operator door signs on his vehicle.

Despite claiming an exemption for the missing signs, Ansar was unable to provide proof.

He also failed to attend police interviews and made a hasty attempt to apply for a private hire licence to cover himself.

Ansar appealed the initial revocation as he said it was an accidental pick-up, but lost his first appeal at Cambridge Magistrates Court in November 2023.

A year later on November 1 2024, his second appeal failed in a hearing at Peterborough Crown Court as the court found Ansar's explanation unconvincing and upheld the council's decision to revoke his licence.

He was ordered to pay costs of £2,551 and a further £1,967 costs were upheld from the first appeal. 

Cllr Natalie Warren Green, Lead Cabinet Member for Licensing,said: "The council has proven that this individual does not meet the standards of a fit and proper taxi driver, leading the court to revoke his licence.

"As the licensing authority, we are committed to protecting the public and maintaining the highest standards in private hire services."

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Black cab fares in Birmingham could soon rise as drivers grapple with the cost-of-living crisis.

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) has called on Birmingham City Council to increase ‘maximum chargeable fares’ to help drivers cope with rising costs and a decline in the number of hackney carriages.

The union's proposal includes:

• Increasing the first mile charge from £5.40 to £5.60
• Raising the mileage charge from £1.92 to £2.04
• Increasing waiting time charges to £1.78 per hour - a 10.5 per cent increase
• Adjusting fare times so days start at 7am instead of 4am
• Tariff two, which has higher mileage charges compared to tariff one, would apply from 10pm to 7am
• The initial charge would remain at £3.20
• Removing extra charges for bank holidays

The council's cabinet is set to approve the union's proposal next week, paving the way for a public consultation. A separate proposal from an individual driver, which included similar fare increases, was also considered but deemed less suitable.

The council's report states that the current tariff was last increased in 2022 and that it is necessary to balance the needs of both drivers and passengers.

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A predatory fake taxi driver who sexually assaulted a vulnerable woman in Leicester has been jailed.

Disturbing CCTV footage captured by police revealed how Ghulan Mohammed, 36, stalked his victim through the city centre for nearly an hour before luring her into his car.

The footage tracked the pair to multiple locations over a two-hour period, including Richard III Road, Pingle Street, and Swan Street.

The victim, who was intoxicated, made a desperate attempt to escape at a petrol station in the early hours of the morning. However, Mohammed persisted, eventually driving her to Leicester Forest East and stopping at a hotel car park on Hinckley Road.

The ordeal only ended when the victim's friends, who had tracked her phone, found her partially undressed, bruised, and muddy inside Mohammed's car.

Mohammed, who was also without trousers, attempted to persuade the victim to return to his vehicle.

Following his arrest, Mohammed denied any wrongdoing, claiming the victim had consented.

However, a week-long trial at Leicester Crown Court found him guilty of four sexual assaults, attempted rape, theft and four counts of fraud.

He was subsequently jailed for seven years and three months at Northampton Crown Court.

Maimuna Bappa, of the Crown Prosecution Service, highlighted the crucial role of CCTV and ANPR evidence in proving Mohammed's predatory behaviour.

She emphasised that the footage clearly demonstrated the victim's lack of consent.

Bappa praised the victim's courage in resisting the attack and assisting with the investigation and prosecution.

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Stockport taxi drivers are calling for urgent action to address abuse and intimidation they are suffering outside the town’s railway station.

The Stockport Taxi Association (STA) said drivers "don't feel safe" after a surge in incidents including verbal abuse, physical fights and damage to vehicles due to non-taxi drivers parking illegally in taxi ranks, bus stops and other restricted areas.

Tauqir Chaudhry, chairman of the STA, stated: “Every second day we get a crime reference number from the police. People regularly park their vehicles in unauthorised areas, leading to physical fights, injuries, and damage to vehicles.”

Asim Javed, a taxi driver for seven years, explained: “Sometimes we're about to move off and people are trying to get in and park next to us on the taxi rank. It's very dangerous.

"We just want the trouble to stop. It's about safety for drivers and other people who come here."

Waseem Saeed (pictured) a taxi driver of 14 years in Stockport, added: "Every driver here has been involved in some incident with other drivers, it happens every day.

"I've had it a few times myself. There has been physical fighting. If they put a camera here people would get tickets and it would stop."

To mitigate the problem, the STA is proposing several solutions, including:

• Physical barriers: similar to those at Manchester Piccadilly station.
• increased traffic warden patrols: to enforce parking regulations.
• additional CCTV cameras: to deter anti-social behaviour and aid in investigations.

Stockport Council has acknowledged the concerns raised by the taxi drivers and is currently reviewing potential safety measures.

Cllr Grace Baynham, the council’s transport lead, said: “We understand the challenges… and have increased enforcement in the area. While a taxi-only zone is challenging, we’re reviewing STA’s suggestions for further improvements.

"CCTV is already in place, and we encourage drivers to report any incidents to GMP for investigation.”

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has also pledged to address the issue.

Insp Jason Holmwood, from GMP’s Stockport district, said: “When we receive reports of threatening behaviour and criminal damage, we endeavour to look at all available information with a view to taking the most appropriate action.”

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