Taxi driver robbed in Burnley

5:33pm Monday 12th May 2008

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A PROMINENT Burnley taxi driver has called on judges, police and council bosses to get tough after another cabbie was assaulted and robbed.

Mohammed Arif, chairman of the Burnley Private Taxi Association, said action needed to be taken after a driver was punched in the face and robbed of £60 when he dropped off three men in Reed Street, Burnley, at 12.05am on Sunday.

The cabbie was restrained by a front seat passenger while a man in the back punched him in the face and took his money bag.

The incident comes after two Burnley Crown Court trials earlier this year highlighted a driver who fled in terror after having his cab taken by rowdy passengers and another where a cabbie was mugged for his takings.

Mr Arif said: "These attacks are happening quite a lot to be honest and it is a very dangerous job.

"I think the police and the council should take a lead on this.

"I think they should really send a clear message out there that any person caught assaulting or robbing a taxi driver should be punished severely.

"They are doing a very important job and they need all the protection that they can get.

"If someone gets robbed on the streets they get the book thrown at them but if it is a taxi driver they get off lightly."

Burnley Council should also take a lead by highlighting the plight of cabbies in the local media, added Mr Arif.

But Insp Vicki Crorkem, from Burnley police, said officers had monthly meetings with the taxi association where they discuss ways of making the job safer.

She added: "Incidents of this nature are important to us and we will always to our best to attend them as quickly as we can do.

"This incident came in as an emergency and we responded to it very quickly."

David Brown, Burnley Council's director of environment, said: "Burnley Council, as the licensing authority, will do all it can to support any police investigation into the matter and urges tough action to be taken in the courts against proven offenders.

"While the council cannot legislate for the mindless minority, we will continue to work with the police and taxi drivers to allow them to do their job well and safely."

The three men who assaulted and robbed the taxi driver are described as white and in their 20s. One is said to have a long beard.

Anyone with information should contact Det Con Joanne Daly at Burnley CID on 01282 472272.