Police warn revellers to be on alert for bogus drivers after taxi stolen
POLICE and licensing officials are warning city centre revellers to be on their guard tonight in case they fall victim to a bogus driver in a stolen taxi.
The warning follows the theft of a fully-badged private hire taxi earlier this week.
-
The black Skoda Superb Comfort TDi, registration number SB05 ZVW, was taken from outside an address in Cromartie Street, Dresden, between 11.15pm on Wednesday and 6.45am on Thursday.
Police are concerned that the car, which belongs to Normacot-based firm Autocabs, could easily be mistaken by drinkers and clubbers for a genuine cab.
A Staffordshire Police spokesman said anyone getting into a car matching the description should look for identification to confirm the vehicle and driver are genuine.
She said: “The vehicle had stickers on both doors with the word ‘Autocabs’, and the licence badge number is PH824.
“Police are urging people who may use a taxi during the weekend to check the licence badge number inside the vehicle.”
Councillor Joy Garner, pictured, who chairs Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s licensing and registration committee, which regulates taxis in the city, said she was extremely concerned about the theft.
She said: “This is quite worrying because the car will look like a real taxi.
“I am concerned that someone could be using this car for criminal purposes on very busy nights in the city centre like tonight, or Monday, which is aa very popular night for students.
“Not only could someone be using the car to earn money illegally, but there is a risk that passengers could be attacked and robbed or even raped.
“Even if the driver is just earning extra money from it, they will not be licensed so the vehicle won’t be covered by insurance in the event of an accident.”
Mrs Garner said that, by law, all private hire vehicles must display identification on their dashboards, and drivers are also required to wear photo ID badges.
She said: “Anyone getting into a taxi should always make sure that the driver is wearing their ID badge, and that the picture looks like them and the details match the vehicle.
“If in any doubt about the authenticity of the driver or cab, the passenger should call the police immediately.”
But she reassured residents that there is no reason for undue alarm as long as they take simple precautions.
Asif Mohammed, a partner at Autocabs, is also concerned about the theft.
He said: “If someone is using this stolen car to operate in the city it would be a big concern for us.
“But all our drivers have badges and plates on the dashboard, so passengers can check that they are getting into a genuine taxi.”
Anyone with information about the taxi theft should call contact Staffordshire Police on 0300 1234455, quoting incident 103 of September 2.
Like this story? Share it with friends
13 Comments
View all
by Unhappy Driver, Stoke on Trent
Thursday, September 09 2010, 6:26AM
“Warren, although i agree with most of your comments regarding the taxi trade complining over here regardin LUCKY 7 at Tesco/Pizza Hut is wrong, yes they park by Pizza Hut, which is AWAY from the main road(Baths Road) which is close enough to Tesco for their pick ups, also you say three different drivers approched you while you were waiting for your wife to pick you up, where you waiting by the TAXI pick up point which LUCKY 7 has the contract for? Therefore the drivers will ask you if you are waiting and ask you for your name to see if you are their fare. Also has you have corrctly stated you need to book a taxi (in your case Autocab) for you to be insured, unless you are using a Hackney Carriage, i only wish others were so streetwise :)
Mick, you seem to have a personal issues regarding the taxi trade in our area, just search every storey on here regarding taxis and you have made negative comments on this, if you have issues i suggest you contact the local council to make you issues known.
Joy, im so pleased that you have managed to take the time to reply to the comments on here, you state that Autocab use the dashboard badges in addition to the drivers badge been worn, in my T & C of my badge all PH drivers HAVE TO DISPLAY the dashboard badge, not just Autocab. I do however feel that we have too many Taxis/PH Vehicles in our city and feel that the Council need to restrict the number of badges issued, also Mick mentioned the reputation of our drivers are rock bottom which i agree and been a driver myself i am very unhappy about, i could give you a list of drivers that break their T & Cs of the badge not just at my company but many others including Warren's favourite Autocab and Tesco's Luck 7.
All to the point i of this car been stolen, if it was used at night to pick up fares why wouldnt this vehicle be spotted by Police/martials and officials in the town, just a thought?
Joy - if you would like to know more please cont the Sentinal for my email address and i would speak to you on a personal basis regarding the issues and ideas i have on our taxi trade.”
by Mick Penning, newcastle, staffs
Sunday, September 05 2010, 2:59PM
“...Demoralised by the standard of competence now endemic in the trade.
I am as concerned as they are for the future. The reputation of our Taxi Drivers is now at rock bottom.... and that means the Private Hire Section of the industry must be experiencing similar problems.
It's a mess and needs political intervention from higher offices.”
by Mick Penning, newcastle, staffs
Sunday, September 05 2010, 2:54PM
“Joy Garner,
earlier this year I was in conversation with one of the leading representatives of the Stoke-on-Trent Hackney Carriage Association, and is despair of how poorly the Hackney Carriage Department was functioning was palpable.
He is an Asian Taxi-Driver of some considerable experience, conscientious, and dedicated to his job.
One of the examples he cited, which caused him to despair, was when he was sitting on the Rank at Stoke Railway Station and a colleague -who had just made a successful application to become a Taxi Driver, -approached him and asked if he knew where Station Road was?
That is a fact. To give you the benefit of the doubt -I can only assume that the Hackney Carriage Dept is under funded to such a degree that it is not able to properly deal with its mandate.
It can not cope with the surge of new applications for both vehicle Licences or Driver's Licences.
Something is seriously wrong when the Association itself is so demoralised.”
by Warren, Meir
Sunday, September 05 2010, 1:50PM
“I'v just been down to Tesco in Longton as a customer, and sat outside for 20 minites or so for the good ladie wife to pick me up. In that time I was approched by three drivers of one privite hire car companey, I'll not name them but it's NOT Autocabs, offering a taxi sirvice. So it seems there is a problem there to.”
by Joy Garner, Tunstall
Sunday, September 05 2010, 1:31PM
“Hi Warren,
Longton is a big Issue.
Transport Lane has double yellow lines and pavement tags. They should not be there full stop. There is a rank for proper Taxi's (legally a Hackney Carriage with the word Taxi on its top light and signage is the only Taxi in law), but they need the support of the passenger to know that they are there, have a meter which they have to use, and can be cheaper especially in small trips.
When someone in uniform is seen in Transport Lane, the cars all drive off.
Licensing officers run a warnings system. Three, then they are before the panel and usually, their license is suspended.
The cars they grab this way, or sometimes on CCTV go through this system.
There is also undercover customer tests. If failed, they go to court, where they usually get fined up to £1,000 and get 6 - 8 points for voiding their car insurance. Then they come to panel, where they are also usually supended and / or sent to do specialist tests before coming back.
As I say, yellow lines.
Traffic Wardens try to ticket them too. The Warden has to observe them in place for a few minutes to give the ticket. But as soon as they are seen, they all drive off.
This is one good area to have ANPR CCTV cameras in place - for public safety.
In the City, there is many council staff and police trying to cover the whole city. Its not possible to the whole time. 1,400 drivers. 1,100 cars.
Do the math Mr Penning.
You cannot keep attacking our staff over what seems like a personal grouse of yours from the past.
This is where we need to have more of the technology this new government is taking out.
I will fight tooth and nail to protect this City and its residents. I am already on record as doing so.”