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The figures for the fisrt quarter are as follows.From the 1st May until the 30th July 2008

murders  = 01     severe injuries =23   attacks by gun  =06   attacks by knives =19 attacks by other means =13   total reported attacks  =61 ...

these figurs are so far showing that gun assaults are down on last year which is pleasing ,however knife attacks are on the increase (very disapointing) The ages of perpertrators is between 18 ---35 years of age and the use of physical violence by means of groups attacking drivers is rising.The GMB PDB is still persuing its campaign through political lobbying and hopes that all concerned parties will give us the support needed to bring these attacks to an end

 

 

Well, we are now being told that 4 drivers have lost their lives whilst working,many more drivers are being assaulted. I would like to thank Brummie cab, TDO,and all other contributors please keep reporting incidents.

SORRY TO SAY THAT SINCE 1/5/08 THE FIGURES ON ASSAULTS ARE SHOWING A DRAMATIC INCREASE. to date a total of 149 drivers have been attacked.

MURDERS; 05.........GUN;19.......KNIFE;43.......OTHER MEANS;46..........this show that a projected final total for this year couldl exceed last year by as much as 30%. The months of July /August have been the worst in years......Many of those assaults have left drivers with terrible injuries which have left them unable too work again,others have had vehicles stolen and subjected to arson,this causes financial difficulties for themselves and family.The GMB PDBs are still passing these details onto the authorities, and ask you all to keep on reporting all types of incidents to the section on this site dedicated to driver assaults.

Drivers can install a great deterrent to attack - a visible surveillance system. The equipment will take excellent images of the vehicle's occupants, day or night, and store them securely so that, if required, they are accepted as admissable evidence.

We would be delighted to work with the GMB to promote the philosophy of surveillance to the trade. By cooperating with the union to achieve greater acceptance by drivers of the equipment we can help to protect against this disgraceful assualt on drivers.

If anyone wants additional information contact me on [email protected] and I'll tell you all about the VerifEye Taxicam.

JUST TO INFORM YOU.i note with pleasure that the safety campaign has prompted a major influx of enquiries about cctv,also many councils up and down the land have agreed to provide funding for equipment .Well the GMB have in conjuntion with a midlands based supplier developed a system which is specifically configured for taxi cabs and private hire vehicles.The system is a fit and forget unit and can be installed into any vehicle in about 20 minutes,the system has sound and vision quality to dvd standard also it incorporates infra-red for night operationand gives perfect vivion even in total darkness.The system does not come within the scope of the data protection act as it complies with the meaning of a small operator.The system overwrites every 28 days and is fully compliant with evidential requirements for court and police.The system can be removed from one vehicle to another in minutes so changing vehicles is no longer a problem.Most importantly the system will be sold at a very competative rate ,and will eventually be leased to GMB members for a very small daily fee.just for TOWAG and SPERIAN this system will solve all problems with bolshie l/osi

The GMBpdb met with senior officers of the deptartment for transport at Marsham street offices on tues 11th novemberThe purpose of this meeting was to update all on the staggering assaults committed against drivers so far this year; THE FIGURES ARE TAKEN FROM REPORTS IN  NATIONAL AND PROVINCIAL NEWSPAPERS,and from websites such as this......The number of assaults so far stands at 328....9,deaths....32,gun....45 knife....41,by other weapons....severly beaten,80......robbed, 151 many of these ended up with vehicles being torched.This cannot be allowed to continue.Please get off your indifferent ars...es and join in this campaign which is a national issue,please report figures on this site,tell your local associations to report the assaults in your areas.

The meeting also was given an assurance from the Home office that the subject of bilking is a criminal offence and that a directive will be sent to all forces chief constables for action to be commenced against offenders,he also is trying to compile a pdf on this subject which can be downloaded and displayed in all office premises windows.The most senior representative of the Transport team stated that the department were in favour ofCCTVs and would encourage the cab industry to fit systems.The department have also issued a drivers safety pdf which can be downloaded from its website.Remember this is a National campaign for your safety ,Please get involved.Finally ,may i take this opportunity to wish you all seasons greetings and a safe and prosperous new year.

Plea for calm after attackPolice and civic leaders today appealed for calm in Wellington after a taxi driver was attacked in the latest of a string of violent incidents involving feuding groups in the town.

The assault comes just over a fortnight after another taxi driver was beaten up in the town by three hooded men who also smashed up his cab.

Police today reassured the local community and said they did not believe any tension was directly related to the taxi trade.

The latest victim, a 31-year-old black cab driver, suffered serious head and facial injuries when he was set upon in the Ryebank Road area of Ketley Bank in the early hours of Saturday.

The man, who has not been named, was still recovering in the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford today.

Another taxi driver was left grazed and bruised after three men wearing balaclavas attacked him and smashed up his cab as he waited outside the Tender Fried Chicken, Church Street, on November 16.

Both attacks came amid simmering tensions in Wellington which police today said involved “two specific groups within a section of the local community”.

Chief Inspector Peter Davies, from Telford police’s command team, said: “Officers are investigating a number of recent incidents in and around Wellington which appear to be connected to ongoing tensions between two specific groups within a section of the local community. On a minority of occasions this tension has escalated into disorder or violent behaviour and we are utilising additional resources to address this issue.”

He appealed for anyone with information relating to community tension in Wellington to contact police on 03003 333000.

Councillor Gary Davies, who represents Wellington’s College Ward on Telford & Wrekin Council, today added his voice to the appeals for calm.

He said: “I am concerned at the attack which took place at the weekend. I am convinced it is nothing to do with the taxi trade and I am in constant touch with the Wellington police team.”