
A private hire driver has urged colleagues across the borough of Rochdale to keep their doors locked and stay vigilant after being targeted in a terrifying ordeal near Littleborough railway station.
The driver was parked on a nearby street waiting for his next booking after completing an Uber journey when an unknown man approached his car.
The individual, described as a white British male aged between 35 and 45, opened the car door without permission and placed a dog inside along with a bag of unknown items.
When confronted, the driver alleges that the man became aggressive and attempted to break one of the car windows by striking it.
Fearing for his safety, the driver immediately dialled 999 while still inside the car and drove to a well-lit location near a Sainsbury's Local store to await arriving officers.
Greater Manchester Police attended the scene, took a statement, and dealt with the incident, though it remains unconfirmed whether any arrests were made.
Sharing his experience to protect others in the trade, the driver advised cabbies to keep vehicle doors locked while waiting for fares, choose well-lit areas with nearby foot traffic, and contact the police immediately if threatened.
While industry representatives note that such aggressive attacks remain relatively uncommon, the incident highlights the daily safety risks faced by solitary transport workers.

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