Cabbies call for CCTV after attack

5:06pm Wednesday 9th April 2008

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By Peter Magill »

CABBIES are calling for CCTV in taxis after a driver was robbed in Bacup.

Shahid Mahmood, who works for Royal Taxis in Waterfoot, was punched and kicked in an unprovoked attack at 4.15am on Saturday.

He was pulling up in the Rossendale Crescent area to drop four passengers off when he was attacked from behind.

One of the yobs grabbed hold of Mr Mahmood's head while was driving and tried to pull him backwards.

As he stopped the car, one of the passengers opened his front door and grabbed £40 cash from him.

He said: "They should get cameras in all the taxis. If this has happened to me it could happen to anyone.

"One lad started attacking me for no reason. I'd never even seen him before and he punched me from the back of my head. I think he was drunk.

"Then another lad joined in, but one was telling them to just let me drive.

"One of them smashed my window and damaged the car."

But the dad-of-one, who is quitting the job in a few weeks to become a security guard, said it was not the first time he had been attacked.

"I've been attacked a couple of times. When I dropped one lad off he said he wouldn't pay me unless I got out of the car and started fighting him.

"I was also punched by a drunk passenger for no reason near Albert Street.

"I'm a bit scared to pick up more than one person now to pick up."

Glen Bulcock, chairman of Rossendale Taxi Association, said: "We are appalled by what has happened and we hope that the police will take positive action in stopping other incidents like this.

"We have been in talks with Rossendale Council over getting CCTVs in taxis for the past 18 months, but the latest quotes we have are £1,000- £12,000 for just one camera.

"Incidents in Rossendale are few and far between and this is the first time anything like this has happened for a while but it is a frightening time for the trade at the moment."

A police spokesman said that a woman had been arrested and released on bail in connection with the incident and that inquiries were ongoing.

Any witnesses to this incident are asked to call DC Tim Maddox at Rossendale CID on 01706 237440.