Taxi drivers and passengers in South Staffordshire will soon have the option to activate audio recording during journeys via a new "panic switch" system.

This move by South Staffordshire Council's licensing committee aims to bolster safety following a worrying spate of assaults on taxi drivers in the region.

The decision to permit the installation of CCTV systems with optional audio recording comes after an extensive consultation last year, which garnered significant support for the measure. An overwhelming 88% of the 1,329 respondents believed audio recording would enhance passenger safety, while 96% felt it would better protect drivers.

A council report underscored the escalating safety concerns, referencing "several high-profile assaults on licensed drivers," including the tragic manslaughter of Wolverhampton driver Anakh Singh in October 2022 and the murder of Mohammed Istakhar in Solihull in November 2022.

The report also highlighted a more recent knife attack on a taxi driver in April 2024 after picking up a passenger from Coventry Railway Station.

The report stated that: "Given the risk to the council's drivers, the position on audio recording and its crime deterrent benefits has been reviewed, to provide greater protection to drivers from this type of attack."

While not mandatory, the new policy will allow drivers to install the audio equipment if they choose. Crucially, a "panic switch" will be fitted inside the taxis, enabling either the driver or the passenger to initiate audio recording when necessary.

Greg Bickerdike, licensing manager at City of Wolverhampton Council, which manages taxi licensing for South Staffordshire, clarified that it is not a "mandatory requirement" but will empower drivers to install the equipment.

He emphasised the dual accessibility of the system, explaining: "For the protection of them and passengers' privacy, there will be a switch the driver or passenger can turn on at any time. It's not just a one-way thing, it has to be accessible to both taxi passengers and drivers."

Officials have stressed that this mutual accessibility is paramount, ensuring that both parties can quickly activate recording in a threatening situation.

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A Bolton man who subjected a Chorley taxi driver to a vile racist rant has been handed a 12-month community order.

The man, in his 50s, pleaded guilty at a pre-trial hearing on December 11, 2024, to racially/religiously aggravated intentional harassment/alarm following the incident on May 12, 2024.

The court heard that the taxi driver picked up Fell and another male passenger from a Chorley taxi rank at approximately 1:30am. Initially requesting a journey to Houghton, the passengers then changed their destination to Bolton mid-journey.

Upon arrival in Bolton, the £75 fare became the catalyst for a torrent of abuse directed at the driver.

According to court documents, Fell, who was seated in the back of the taxi, launched into a tirade that included deeply offensive and Islamophobic remarks such as: "Go to your hajj. Go and pray to your f***ing god," and "Your a f***ing rag head, you horrible bas***d."

He also made disturbing comments about the driver's faith and perceived background, stating: "F***ing temples everywhere, breeding us out," and "Your a f***ing Muslim and you want to do hajj, and you want to f***ing rag me like the rest of your caste because your breeding us out of this f***ing country."

Despite being repeatedly warned by the driver that his racist abuse was being recorded on the taxi's CCTV and would be reported to the police, the man continued his verbal assault and refused to pay the fare, declaring: "I am not paying you £75, I would rather slit my own throat and do hajj."

The entire journey was captured on the taxi's recording system, and the footage was provided to Lancashire Police as crucial evidence, leading to the man's arrest and subsequent charge.

He was sentenced at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on April 17, 2025. The 12-month community order mandates that he attend a programme of 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days and pay a £100 fine.

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A South Oxfordshire licensed private hire and hackney carriage driver has been slapped with over £1,000 in costs and a six-month driving ban after being caught illegally operating in Reading.

Talal Bin Mumtaz Raja, from Reading, was found guilty of four offences at Reading Magistrates' Court on April 7, 2025.

The court heard how undercover licensing officers from Reading City Council conducted a "test purchase operation" on March 23, 2024. They flagged down Mr Raja's vehicle outside the Penta Hotel on Oxford Road, where he agreed to an unbooked £12 fare to Tilehurst.

While Mr Raja holds a hackney carriage licence, this only permits him to pick up passengers without pre-booking within his licensed borough of South Oxfordshire.

Crucially, the investigation also revealed that his driving and vehicle licences were suspended at the time due to his failure to complete mandatory disability training.

Presiding magistrates delivered a hefty penalty, including fines of £700 for "plying for hire" and "operating without insurance."

Mr Raja was also ordered to pay £1,000 in costs and a £280 victim surcharge. 

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A 19-year-old armed robber who preyed on taxi drivers in Aberdeen has been locked up for two and a half years.

Ellis Gardiner, fuelled by drugs, subjected one driver to a terrifying ordeal, pressing a knife against his face and drawing blood, and later robbed another of £50 while brandishing a screwdriver.

Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard how Gardiner's crime spree also extended to his own family, with the teenager stealing £80 from his mother during a drug-induced state.

Fiscal depute Emma Petersen detailed the first incident, which occurred around 2:30am on 4 August last year. After being picked up in Aberdeen and taken to Mastrick, Gardiner, finding no one at the destination, directed the driver to various streets before launching his attack.

"As soon as the taxi came to a stop, the accused launched himself towards the complainer, seizing him by the arms and pushing him in to the seat," Ms Petersen told the court.

"The complainer felt blood running down his chin and noticed that the accused had a knife pressed against his face.” Gardiner then demanded the driver's phone, wallet, and car keys. The driver refused to hand over his keys, but Gardiner snatched his wallet and fled.

The second taxi driver was targeted on 19 February this year by Gardiner and an accomplice, Steven Gribble, who was previously jailed for the crime.

The court heard that Gribble demanded £50 from the driver after an unsuccessful ATM visit. While Gribble held a screwdriver, Gardiner chillingly stated: "I’ve got something at your back as well."

Sheriff Graham Buchanan had previously described Gribble's actions as a "disgraceful crime" and sentenced him to two years and eight months.

In court, Gardiner admitted to three counts of assault and robbery.

His defence solicitor, Laura Gracie, explained that her client was battling a severe drug addiction at the time and had "gone completely off the rails," admitting he had smoked crack cocaine before the knifepoint robbery.

"He knows that the impact on both taxi drivers will have been serious," Ms Gracie said, adding, "Mr Gardiner does not try to excuse his behaviour, he just wanted to explain why it happened."

She stated that Gardiner was now drug-free and "motivated to change his life."

However, Sheriff William Summers deemed a custodial sentence unavoidable, telling Gardiner that he had committed "three serious offences, two of which involved attacks on vulnerable taxi drivers."

He added, "The notion that these offences could be dealt with by anything other than a custodial sentence is patently absurd." Sheriff Summers ultimately sentenced Gardiner to a total of 30 months in prison.

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