Taxi driver Imtiaz Khan attacked driving to West Watford

Imtiaz Khan was taking a customer to West Watford in the early hours when the man began punching him. Imtiaz Khan was taking a customer to West Watford in the early hours when the man began punching him.

Watford taxi drivers are at "crisis point" after three were left battered, bleeding and humiliated by customers in late night assaults this year.

In January, Atique Rahman was beaten up over a £3.50 fare dispute, and then in February another driver, Azmat Shah, was so badly attacked he was scared to go back to work.

On Sunday morning Imtiaz Khan, 57, was taking a customer to West Watford in the early hours when the man began punching him in the head, causing Mr Khan to lose control of his car and crash into a parked vehicle.

He lost a tooth and had to go to hospital. The man also stole £100 from his car. Furthermore, Mr Khan estimates the damage to his car will run into the thousands.

He said: "He was hitting me and I tried to escape but my car was up against another, I tried to open the door but I was stuck.

"As soon as he got the money he stopped attacking me and ran off."

Shafiq Ahmed, chairman of the Watford Hackney Carriage Drivers’ Association, said ten drivers had reported being assaulted to him in the past two years.

He said this number does not include the hundreds of others who are punched, kicked, spat at or subjected to racist abuse and do not report it.

Mr Ahmed said the real tragedy with these incidents is that many could be avoided if the taxi had been fitted with a safety screen, a see-through shield protecting the driver from passengers in the back seat.

He is also campaigning for CCTV to be installed in taxis, which he says will save the police time and money by eliminating the need for a lengthy investigation, something the council, which licences and regulates taxis, has repeatedly refused to fund.

Chairman of the town’s licensing committee, councillor Jan Brown, said: "Taxpayers would not want their money spent furnishing private vehicles with cameras.

“CCTV camera prices have fallen in price in recent years and can actually be bought for under £200.”

Mr Ahmed added: "This is happening so often and the complaints to the local authority are falling on deaf ears. We are at crisis point.

"Work is at an all time low because of the economy. We can’t afford the £800 for the cameras.

"If the council bought them in bulk they could negotiate a better deal and we could contribute to the cost that way. There is a crime prevention fund in Watford which we could use.

"The police were there for three hours on Sunday after Mr Khan was attacked, cordoning off the area and searching with dogs.

"CCTV and safety screens would save taxpayer money by removing the need for a police investigation."

Safety shield manufacturer Ron Corbett conducted research with the National Private Hire Company and found in the UK, 63 taxi drivers had been murdered in the past 20 years, costing about £240 million in police investigations.

He also approached police authorities and the Home Office and claims an investigation of an assault can cost up to £3,000.

Mr Ahmed added: "Taxi drivers are willing to put some money towards it and the council can regulate it.

"People think we’re being greedy and that we’re the villains and that we want tax payer money spent on us.

"We’re just trying to do a job. We’re a public service just like any other by picking up the most dangerous people you can imagine and clearing them out of the town.

"Every week I get a call from someone who has been spat on or subjected to a racist comment. I feel humiliated, we are here to do a job and there is no protection from the police or council.

"I am worried that sooner or later someone will be seriously hurt or even killed."

Comments(146)

crazyfrog says...
6:33pm Wed 13 Mar 13

If taxi driving is this dangerous at night then maybe the council should create a seperate licence a "Night Taxi Licence".
To qualify for the licence the drivers should of attended a course on some kind of Aggressive Behavior Control course that teaches the driver how to diffuse potentially violent situations also should have a taxi kitted out with their OWN assault screens and CCTV without this licence taxi's can only operate during daylight areas.
There is no way that Taxpayer's should be picking up this £800 bill because these people wont shell out for themselves its private business and private PROFIT, if the council pays for this then this will open a can of worms for other self employed people needing safety equipment brought for them

wd40 says...
6:39pm Wed 13 Mar 13

A thought. Buy a cctv device and charge the drunken rabble you wish to take money off a premium rate. Problem solved with no cost to the taxpayer only the taxi customer. Or get another job.

Why should I fund your business.

mattjwilliams says...
6:43pm Wed 13 Mar 13

Well Said. The taxi company he works for should be providing him this security system. Also thats a scratch on the bumper I am sure thats not thousands of pounds of damage. Bit of T-cut.

I seem to remember an old Watford observer article about a Mr Khan who was caught doing illegal cabbing from the Watford Observer a few years ago. My golly it might be the same guy now selling a story to the Observer.

mattjwilliams says...
6:47pm Wed 13 Mar 13

I found the article:

http://www.taxiblog.
co.uk/2006/12/cabbie
-caught-for-second-t
ime/

mrn_wfc says...
6:55pm Wed 13 Mar 13

I Sympathise. Cab company take responsibility and protect your staff. Its bad to levy this to the Tax payer.

EU_OUT_NOW says...
7:44pm Wed 13 Mar 13

Get another job Mr Khan.... or pay for your own security...

smalon says...
7:45pm Wed 13 Mar 13

The safety screens can't be that expensive to purchase and fit, it is up to them to get it sorted.
I sympathise with the abuse they get at night but I get less and less for my council tax as it is without paying out for equipment for private firms.

KAren Smythe says...
8:39pm Wed 13 Mar 13

Perhaps the Watford Hackney Carriage Drivers’ Association could buy the equipment in bulk and negotiate their own discount. Or try this http://www.safeshiel
d-ltd.co.uk/pages/pr
ices.html. £295.Order more than 10 and you get a discount.

I'd also be interested to know how many female and non-asian members they have.

MaryWatford says...
8:44pm Wed 13 Mar 13

We do not pay for CCTV in shops so would should we pay for them in taxi's? I feel sorry for this man being attacked but that does look like a rather nice house behind him so I am sure he could afford it himself.

johnhornet says...
8:58pm Wed 13 Mar 13

When I read the headline 'Sooner or later someone will be seriously hurt or even killed' with a picture of a taxi I thought it was going to be about the new taxi rank at Watford Junction.

The taxis park on the pavement and make it vey dangerous for pedestrians. When I complained to a driver (nicely) I was met with threatening abuse. The other day I used my horn because the a taxi driver was blocking the road talking to his mate in another taxi, saw me and just carried on his chat. He then started yelling at me.

While its totally unacceptable for people to be assaulting anyone, it strikes me that many Watford taxi drivers have absolutely no respect for others while going about their work. That probably doesn't gender the respect of others.

I would walk 5 miles home barefoot in snow rather than get a taxi from Watford Junction.

johnhornet says...
9:03pm Wed 13 Mar 13

And another thing......"Work is at an all time low because of the economy" is quote from the article. I said "I would walk 5 miles home barefoot in snow rather than get a taxi from Watford Junction".

I know of many other who feel the same because of rude drivers who feel the world owes them a living, smelly cabs, using phones while driving etc etc.

Watford has many decent minicab services - its a pity they are not allowed to use the Junction station.

mrn_wfc says...
9:06pm Wed 13 Mar 13

johnhornet wrote:
When I read the headline 'Sooner or later someone will be seriously hurt or even killed' with a picture of a taxi I thought it was going to be about the new taxi rank at Watford Junction.

The taxis park on the pavement and make it vey dangerous for pedestrians. When I complained to a driver (nicely) I was met with threatening abuse. The other day I used my horn because the a taxi driver was blocking the road talking to his mate in another taxi, saw me and just carried on his chat. He then started yelling at me.

While its totally unacceptable for people to be assaulting anyone, it strikes me that many Watford taxi drivers have absolutely no respect for others while going about their work. That probably doesn't gender the respect of others.

I would walk 5 miles home barefoot in snow rather than get a taxi from Watford Junction.
Funny you mention that.
I was driving on Clarendon Road today and a line of taxis were parked along Melton house office. which is that big black building with black tinted windows. 3 cabs pull out infront of me from a parked position without indicating. I had to slam my brakes and looking in horror. I agree I have sympathy but no way the tax payer should pay for CCTV's.

MarsLander says...
10:28pm Wed 13 Mar 13

Taxi drivers and the taxi firms are responsible for kitting out the cabs, always have been, always will be.

Taxis would be unsafe and dangerous without the annual MOT test. Will they be asking us to pay for their M.O.T.'s as well, because otherwise sooner or later someone will be seriously hurt or even killed?

The taxi drivers argument for a council handout just doesn't hold water. It's totally ridiculous and everyone can see it apart from them, because they want us to pay for it.

I for one don't even use cabs - the last one I had from the junction years ago was dirty and smelt of curry and since then I have not used another one. I prefer to walk or call my wife for a lift. As someone who doesn't use cabs, why should my taxes be used to pay for their profitable business?

As I have said before, on the previous recent story covering the same issues, they must pay for the safety measures themselves.

I think they are ridiculous for even asking for a handout. If I were a taxi driver I think I would be embarrassed by my association asking for this handout, particularly where there is no justification for it at all.

Traveller Tom McD says...
11:30pm Wed 13 Mar 13

While i have sympathy with the taxi drivers, they are only trying to earn a living and should not be subjected to violence of abuse by vile drunken scumbags. They have a responsibility for thier own safety and if you buy the car, buy the equipment to ensure your safety. They should all get together and boycott working after certain hours or not pick up in known problem areas, let drunks walk home so they appreciate public service. Problem is the cabbies are addicted to working long hours, paying little tax and still complain. I bet if you checked Mr Khans tax bill, you will struggle to see how he bought that house!

MrBlackCab says...
1:25am Thu 14 Mar 13

I'm a London cabbie now who used to work in watford as a private hire driver, I'm getting fed up with hearing from theses watford cab drivers every other week and its just stupid old broken track record I keep hearing, if you want to work nights in any town as a cab driver the first thing you look out for is your own safety, buy a bloody black cab, they come with safety screen and built in CCTV, there are so many to chose from to suit everyone's budget, it's a no brainier, it's your business so dnt expect anyone else to pay your bills or safety. Other issue I have is half these watford cabbies who I have worked with for many years dnt NOT know how to communicate with passengers, this is half of their problem other issue is a lot of them dnt know how to read or write, now hear me out, how can you give a cabbie a destination when he can not read???? When he takes you to the wrong destination your not going to shake his hand or pay his fare are you???? This is why SOME of these cabbies get a kicking. The watford council needs to start cleaning these cow boy cabbies as it dnt look good for the rest of us. I bet you my house this cabbie can't read or write!!!!!

theturpster says...
7:45am Thu 14 Mar 13

I could quite happily accept the abuse and violence to live in a house of that specification. Bring it on i say!

Mohandas says...
9:06am Thu 14 Mar 13

Traveller Tom McD wrote:
While i have sympathy with the taxi drivers, they are only trying to earn a living and should not be subjected to violence of abuse by vile drunken scumbags. They have a responsibility for thier own safety and if you buy the car, buy the equipment to ensure your safety. They should all get together and boycott working after certain hours or not pick up in known problem areas, let drunks walk home so they appreciate public service. Problem is the cabbies are addicted to working long hours, paying little tax and still complain. I bet if you checked Mr Khans tax bill, you will struggle to see how he bought that house!
I appreciate much of what you are saying on this subject especially ‘Every week I get a call from someone who has been spat on or subjected to a racist comment. I feel humiliated, we are here to do a job and there is no protection from the police or council.’
Would our new Crime Commissioner be interested in this type of crime which seems commonplace? By the way how many Chief Executives are women with FTSE 100 companies? And has anyone noticed the unemployment figures? Perhaps the reason for their long hours is that they are so many of them chasing the fares - yesterday I saw an unbelievable long line of them waiting patiently in line near the Junction Station car park. Do I detect some jealousy over what they have achieved with their accommodation?

MarsLander says...
9:10am Thu 14 Mar 13

Plain english, please.

If you are going to make a point, please make it clearly.

The Rover says...
9:13am Thu 14 Mar 13

A few months ago I got a taxi in Watford. The driver did not turn his meter on and about a mile up the road said to me "you realise this is going to be expensive, dont you". My response was "I have made this journey before, I know its £8". His response was "the meter is not on, it will be about £20". I asked him to pull over and I got out of the cab, and he asked to pay for part of the journey! Not that the idea of attacking the driver even crossed my mind, but it does make me understand why they sometimes get treated the way they do. If they want CCTV they can pay for it themselves, just like any other business would have to. And if they want to be treated with respect then maybe they need to show a little more respect as well.

Hornets number 12 fan says...
9:38am Thu 14 Mar 13

Taxi drivers run their own businesses therefore anything that is need for that business the business buys so why do these taxi drivers think the council should pay for them to have CCTV in their businesses? I do not see under what circumstances they think this is right? Warped logic if you ask me? Mr Khan YOU buy the CCTV and claim it in your tax returns!

comments says...
10:24am Thu 14 Mar 13

Mohandas wrote:
Traveller Tom McD wrote:
While i have sympathy with the taxi drivers, they are only trying to earn a living and should not be subjected to violence of abuse by vile drunken scumbags. They have a responsibility for thier own safety and if you buy the car, buy the equipment to ensure your safety. They should all get together and boycott working after certain hours or not pick up in known problem areas, let drunks walk home so they appreciate public service. Problem is the cabbies are addicted to working long hours, paying little tax and still complain. I bet if you checked Mr Khans tax bill, you will struggle to see how he bought that house!
I appreciate much of what you are saying on this subject especially ‘Every week I get a call from someone who has been spat on or subjected to a racist comment. I feel humiliated, we are here to do a job and there is no protection from the police or council.’
Would our new Crime Commissioner be interested in this type of crime which seems commonplace? By the way how many Chief Executives are women with FTSE 100 companies? And has anyone noticed the unemployment figures? Perhaps the reason for their long hours is that they are so many of them chasing the fares - yesterday I saw an unbelievable long line of them waiting patiently in line near the Junction Station car park. Do I detect some jealousy over what they have achieved with their accommodation?
Mohandas,
You are missing the point here!

I am sick and tired of these cabbies moaning about cctv! If they feared for their lives then they need to cough up for the cctv!


WO shouldn't entertain their moaning!

garston tony says...
10:54am Thu 14 Mar 13

Firstly attacks on taxi drivers are wrong be they physical or verball but if they feel they need security in the form of CCTV and screens then it is for the taxi owners be that the driver themselves or a firm to provide them.

You dont need to wait for WBC or any other public body to make it a requirement, do it yourself. It isnt something that should be funded by the public either which seems to be the drift of these stories sometimes.

Veritas says...
11:01am Thu 14 Mar 13

The Rover says that they did not have the meter on,
they should have been reported, this happened to people we know,

Also be careful in the dark what notes you hand to them, as £20 can be taken and thought of as a £10,
if it is dark the money can be allegedly put to the side and replaced with a £10, being dark you might not see this, when you query what note you gave £10 appears.


They are very cheeky if they think that council taxes should pay for their CCTV.

We have not used a Jct Taxi or any other dodgy taxi for years; we just get our taxi to collect us from areas near the jct or in the car park at the back!!


As readers have pointed out
there is a lack of customer satisfaction for various reasons, they should address that first.

There are too many of them just sitting there at the jct, so it is inevitable that some may think they are in another world and may get away with cheating customers. Problem is they are not in another world and they make it worse for their fellow taxi drivers.

So dodgy taxi drivers please don't turn this into some "victimised" situation
it can't be that bad or they would not be doing it, and I'm sure they get good money, as many we know know ahve been doing very well over the years

Also the council should have a complaints no so overcharging can be monitered.

johnny_english1 says...
3:06pm Thu 14 Mar 13

KAren Smythe wrote:
Perhaps the Watford Hackney Carriage Drivers’ Association could buy the equipment in bulk and negotiate their own discount. Or try this http://www.safeshiel

d-ltd.co.uk/pages/pr

ices.html. £295.Order more than 10 and you get a discount.

I'd also be interested to know how many female and non-asian members they have.
Oh boy you must be really smart and took your time to think of that one. To be a licensed taxi driver there is a process regulated through watford council, including fees, vehicle etc. Anybody can apply including women and members from all backgrounds be it white or Asian, male or female. In your brain wave you tried to imply that licensing is regulated by Asians it is not. You can be a driver if you pass the knowledge test.

As for the hackney association many people are taxi drivers and not members of the association , it's entirely a personal choice. Do use simple common sense in future.

Now on the CCTV issue the drivers aren't asking the council to pay, they're simply saying "you" buy make it a requirement to sell to the drivers without making a loss. It's not taxpayers money the taxi driver also pays tax, the taxi drivers pays all sorts of fees to watford borough council also.

Yes all industries have there bad apples , just imagine a weekend of ten thousand in the night life of watford , lots of drunken yobs running around urinating where needed and there's no taxis because they don't feel safe. That cleanup would cost far more. Also as mentioned the investigation into assault crimes also costs far more.

If you feel you are getting ripped of note the plate or license number clearly visible in the cab and report it to the council. Now to mr London cabbie this is watford a few miles radius not greater London buddy.

Taxidermist says...
3:47pm Thu 14 Mar 13

johnhornet wrote:
When I read the headline 'Sooner or later someone will be seriously hurt or even killed' with a picture of a taxi I thought it was going to be about the new taxi rank at Watford Junction.

The taxis park on the pavement and make it vey dangerous for pedestrians. When I complained to a driver (nicely) I was met with threatening abuse. The other day I used my horn because the a taxi driver was blocking the road talking to his mate in another taxi, saw me and just carried on his chat. He then started yelling at me.

While its totally unacceptable for people to be assaulting anyone, it strikes me that many Watford taxi drivers have absolutely no respect for others while going about their work. That probably doesn't gender the respect of others.

I would walk 5 miles home barefoot in snow rather than get a taxi from Watford Junction.
You could pre-book a Private Hire car to pick you up at a far less expensive rate.

Taxidermist says...
4:04pm Thu 14 Mar 13

The Rover wrote:
A few months ago I got a taxi in Watford. The driver did not turn his meter on and about a mile up the road said to me "you realise this is going to be expensive, dont you". My response was "I have made this journey before, I know its £8". His response was "the meter is not on, it will be about £20". I asked him to pull over and I got out of the cab, and he asked to pay for part of the journey! Not that the idea of attacking the driver even crossed my mind, but it does make me understand why they sometimes get treated the way they do. If they want CCTV they can pay for it themselves, just like any other business would have to. And if they want to be treated with respect then maybe they need to show a little more respect as well.
The local bylaws state that if the taxi journey is within the Watford Borough boundary that the taximeter MUST be used (or a cheaper fare agreed before the journey commences). If the journey ends outside the Borough boundary, either the fare on the taximeter is the price paid for the journey or the fare could be negotiated prior to the commencement of that journey. They cannot just take you somewhere either inside or outside the Borough boundary and then demand a large sum of money that has not been agreed in advance, or is more than is showing on the meter. So in brief, Fare on the meter or pre agreed fare. no other options are open to them if they are going by the rules laid down.

MrBlackCab says...
4:47pm Thu 14 Mar 13

Now to mr London cabbie this is watford a few miles radius not greater London buddy.

My point is johnny English wannabe, for your safety as a night cab driver to eliminate any danger to yourself buy a black cab or something similar, then you won't cry about being beaten up every month. If my life was in that much of a danger as they say it is being a night cabbie in watford won't anyone spend the bit extra and buy a proper taxi, it ain't rocket science is it! Or start looking for a new career, maybe a shop needs a assistant or shelf stacker on whippendell road or even become a chef.

MarsLander says...
5:07pm Thu 14 Mar 13

These taxi drivers are an embarrassment, trying to get the council to pay for their equipment.

Taxi-drivers, you're in business, you need to buy the equipment, not just rake in the rewards.

ksays says...
5:13pm Thu 14 Mar 13

mrn_wfc wrote:
johnhornet wrote: When I read the headline 'Sooner or later someone will be seriously hurt or even killed' with a picture of a taxi I thought it was going to be about the new taxi rank at Watford Junction. The taxis park on the pavement and make it vey dangerous for pedestrians. When I complained to a driver (nicely) I was met with threatening abuse. The other day I used my horn because the a taxi driver was blocking the road talking to his mate in another taxi, saw me and just carried on his chat. He then started yelling at me. While its totally unacceptable for people to be assaulting anyone, it strikes me that many Watford taxi drivers have absolutely no respect for others while going about their work. That probably doesn't gender the respect of others. I would walk 5 miles home barefoot in snow rather than get a taxi from Watford Junction.
Funny you mention that. I was driving on Clarendon Road today and a line of taxis were parked along Melton house office. which is that big black building with black tinted windows. 3 cabs pull out infront of me from a parked position without indicating. I had to slam my brakes and looking in horror. I agree I have sympathy but no way the tax payer should pay for CCTV's.
Interesting you should mention Clarendon Road. I work in Meridien House and driving in and out of our building is a nightmare due to the taxis parked outside. Thankfully this area has been suspended whilst the work is currently being carried out at Watford Junction. However, a large amount of us from different companies within the building have written to Watford Council pleading with them not to reinstate the taxi rank (I use the term rank loosely as it is actually a "holding" area for the drivers whilst WJ station has too many parked outside). It is extremely dangerous when trying to leave our car park. They block our view along Clarendon Road.

The council are not interested and we all received the exact same reply along the lines of if you don't like it we suggest you turn left out of your car park exit!! This would make no difference whatsoever as we cannot see cars appearing from our right. There seems to be far too many taxis assigned to Watford Junction, if they are having to park along Clarendon Road, as well as now taking over Shady Lane too!

I appreciate my rant has nothing to do with the taxi driver being injured, I do sympathise. Sorry, rant over!!

comments says...
5:29pm Thu 14 Mar 13

MrBlackCab wrote:
I'm a London cabbie now who used to work in watford as a private hire driver, I'm getting fed up with hearing from theses watford cab drivers every other week and its just stupid old broken track record I keep hearing, if you want to work nights in any town as a cab driver the first thing you look out for is your own safety, buy a bloody black cab, they come with safety screen and built in CCTV, there are so many to chose from to suit everyone's budget, it's a no brainier, it's your business so dnt expect anyone else to pay your bills or safety. Other issue I have is half these watford cabbies who I have worked with for many years dnt NOT know how to communicate with passengers, this is half of their problem other issue is a lot of them dnt know how to read or write, now hear me out, how can you give a cabbie a destination when he can not read???? When he takes you to the wrong destination your not going to shake his hand or pay his fare are you???? This is why SOME of these cabbies get a kicking. The watford council needs to start cleaning these cow boy cabbies as it dnt look good for the rest of us. I bet you my house this cabbie can't read or write!!!!!
hahahaha I dont think he can read or write!

Haswat26 says...
5:53pm Thu 14 Mar 13

This is not the first time this happened. It will lead to repercussions. Just like what was happening in the 90's wars between south oxhey yobs and Asian youths. best to deal with the situation now rather than trigger a ticking time bomb.

MarsLander says...
5:55pm Thu 14 Mar 13

Haswat26 wrote:
This is not the first time this happened. It will lead to repercussions. Just like what was happening in the 90's wars between south oxhey yobs and Asian youths. best to deal with the situation now rather than trigger a ticking time bomb.
???

MrBlackCab says...
6:55pm Thu 14 Mar 13

johnny_english1 wrote:
KAren Smythe wrote:
johnny_english1 wrote:
KAren Smythe wrote: Perhaps the Watford Hackney Carriage Drivers’ Association could buy the equipment in bulk and negotiate their own discount. Or try this http://www.safeshiel d-ltd.co.uk/pages/pr ices.html. £295.Order more than 10 and you get a discount. I'd also be interested to know how many female and non-asian members they have.
Oh boy you must be really smart and took your time to think of that one. To be a licensed taxi driver there is a process regulated through watford council, including fees, vehicle etc. Anybody can apply including women and members from all backgrounds be it white or Asian, male or female. In your brain wave you tried to imply that licensing is regulated by Asians it is not. You can be a driver if you pass the knowledge test. As for the hackney association many people are taxi drivers and not members of the association , it's entirely a personal choice. Do use simple common sense in future. Now on the CCTV issue the drivers aren't asking the council to pay, they're simply saying "you" buy make it a requirement to sell to the drivers without making a loss. It's not taxpayers money the taxi driver also pays tax, the taxi drivers pays all sorts of fees to watford borough council also. Yes all industries have there bad apples , just imagine a weekend of ten thousand in the night life of watford , lots of drunken yobs running around urinating where needed and there's no taxis because they don't feel safe. That cleanup would cost far more. Also as mentioned the investigation into assault crimes also costs far more. If you feel you are getting ripped of note the plate or license number clearly visible in the cab and report it to the council. Now to mr London cabbie this is watford a few miles radius not greater London buddy.
The question I asked, nobhead, was how many Women or Non Asian members were in the WATFORD Hackney Carriage Drivers' Association.
the answer I gave shithead chav was In Reply to your question, read it that may help, how many woman drivers are they full stop, I've only seen one hackney lady. As for whites there are hackney drivers I don't know if they've joined ask the council I'm not a council employee or for the asociation.

Now to London cabbie, firstly moron I ain't the one crying with your atitude I see why you drive with a black cab though. As for my career don't assume I'm educated unlike you. Stick to pub amusements and don't try and lecture me on what's career I want. As for the black cab issue I agree but in watford they have to be fairly new to be plated its not london the laws for vehicles are fairly relaxed there. As for the shop job jibe yeah we own the shops but our stackers are mostly school dropouts multi purpose urinaters like youreself.
Johnny English why you getting so worked up about this? You should change your name to your real name and stop pretending to be Mr English. I weren't talking about you, I was on about the cab drivers in watford changing their career, but sounds of it it seems you must be one of them. Dnt worry son the grass is greener on the other side. Il pop by for a kebab later.

MrBlackCab says...
7:00pm Thu 14 Mar 13

Haswat26 wrote:
This is not the first time this happened. It will lead to repercussions. Just like what was happening in the 90's wars between south oxhey yobs and Asian youths. best to deal with the situation now rather than trigger a ticking time bomb.
Haswat son what you been smoking??? Wake up its 2013 son

Mohandas says...
8:14pm Thu 14 Mar 13

comments says...
10:24am Thu 14 Mar 13

'Mohandas,
You are missing the point here!

I am sick and tired of these cabbies moaning about cctv! If they feared for their lives then they need to cough up for the cctv!'
If WBC paid for a private business to have CCTV it would be more than just the thin edge of the wedge but would open the flood gates. WBC loyal front line workers are already under pressure to keep their jobs with outsourcing rearing its ugly head.

Haswat26 says...
9:00pm Thu 14 Mar 13

Have u heard the way people talkin. They want revenge and maybe result with innocents gettin hurt.

Haswat26 says...
9:02pm Thu 14 Mar 13

Look three Asian cabbies attacked so far. People have started thinking on racial lines that's what I mean. Islamaphobia mistrust. It's not wat I been smokin more like come out of ur cave and view the world and the people in it

Haswat26 says...
9:04pm Thu 14 Mar 13

It started like this in Birmingham, Oldham and Bradford better take action not that the police can do much about it

Haswat26 says...
9:05pm Thu 14 Mar 13

CCTV y not they have it on buses and trains

nobodys_business says...
10:55pm Thu 14 Mar 13

Its really disgusting to hear many peoples negative views about this individual. He is actually a VERY hard working individual. He has a very good reputation at home and work. If something seriously bad had happened to Mr Khan I guess you people wouldn't have a nerve to write a single negative word about him. I have seen real cases of taxi drivers been stabbed in their cabs. Does it make you people think twice before you write about someone so wrongly. I mean come he could have been KILLED! Then would you write such malicious comments about him. I think some peopel really need to twice before they write negatively about other people. Also get your facts straightened. Things that are published in news paper articles is not always the correct information. I think he has been put on Watford observer just because of the incident and nothing more. I am glad Mr Khan is alive and well.

live well says...
11:34pm Thu 14 Mar 13

the sados that sit and write all this rubbish need to think about their comments, probably ppl who don't work, go and get a life, i totally agree with no bodys buisness, instead of spending money on a unsafe town invest money into safety first. These drivers all pay tax and insurance and a VERY high price in car insurance to cover their passangers too and it is thousands, so to all those low life ppl sitting writing rubblish THINK! this guy is a really nice man, DON'T judge a person, to the mayor, isn't it time you did something about this, you lay ur law to these drivers and state that every job has to be picked no matter how short or far the journey, i ask you 1 thing, what are you going to do to move forward and help these drivers? dont spend my money on the ghost town its not worth it, make our town safe and then think about developing it further.

nobodys_business says...
11:35pm Thu 14 Mar 13

Sorry...I forgot to add at least hes earning a living and not sitting on benefits unlike some people who do actually think its ok to live of taxpayers money!

nobodys_business says...
11:43pm Thu 14 Mar 13

theturpster wrote:
I could quite happily accept the abuse and violence to live in a house of that specification. Bring it on i say!
i'm sorry to inform you...but the house this individual is living in actually didnt cost that much when he purchased it. Because prices have gone up drastically...it amy be worth a bit more. I actually wanted to point out that its actaully none of your business what kind of property he lives in or what kind of food he eats. I mean whats it too you. This is just a newspaper article report informing the public that he was seriously harmed whilst working. Thats all you should be paying attention too and nothing more. Thanks

live well says...
11:49pm Thu 14 Mar 13

to theturpster

MIND ur own business, he worked all his life JUST read the article! karma comes round maybe you will get ur wish and then if i see your article ill ask how u felt..........

nobodys_business says...
11:58pm Thu 14 Mar 13

MrBlackCab wrote:
I'm a London cabbie now who used to work in watford as a private hire driver, I'm getting fed up with hearing from theses watford cab drivers every other week and its just stupid old broken track record I keep hearing, if you want to work nights in any town as a cab driver the first thing you look out for is your own safety, buy a bloody black cab, they come with safety screen and built in CCTV, there are so many to chose from to suit everyone's budget, it's a no brainier, it's your business so dnt expect anyone else to pay your bills or safety. Other issue I have is half these watford cabbies who I have worked with for many years dnt NOT know how to communicate with passengers, this is half of their problem other issue is a lot of them dnt know how to read or write, now hear me out, how can you give a cabbie a destination when he can not read???? When he takes you to the wrong destination your not going to shake his hand or pay his fare are you???? This is why SOME of these cabbies get a kicking. The watford council needs to start cleaning these cow boy cabbies as it dnt look good for the rest of us. I bet you my house this cabbie can't read or write!!!!!
I think your just somebody rude and need to mind what you write about other people. Just to inform you he can READ and WRITE. You should'nt be allowed to discriminate people on any grounds, not even on the internet. Just tooo inform you Mr Khan is just glad that he is ALIVE and WELL.

GoraaLiveitUp says...
12:37am Fri 15 Mar 13

These comments are absolutely a disgrace to our community. Regardless of who he is or where he lives, a person has been a victims of a crime of no fault of his own. Instead of criticising this taxi driver, why hasn't anybody's mention or criticised the person who is responsible for this! I don't see anybody on here looking for the criminal but instead everyone is making a mockery out of mr khan. This is a joke, people need to realise that a crime has taken place and the criminal is still at large and needs to face up to his actions and take full responsibility for causing harm. It's really sad that people are actually like this in the world and maybe need to wake up to the reality of the situation and and stop being so spiteful! @ the end of the day he is someone's father, son, brother, cousin and grandfather! it doesnt make it alright for someone to do this! this is not acceptable! i hope he is recovering and wish him well!

Haswat26 says...
2:27am Fri 15 Mar 13

GoraaLiveitUp wrote:
These comments are absolutely a disgrace to our community. Regardless of who he is or where he lives, a person has been a victims of a crime of no fault of his own. Instead of criticising this taxi driver, why hasn't anybody's mention or criticised the person who is responsible for this! I don't see anybody on here looking for the criminal but instead everyone is making a mockery out of mr khan. This is a joke, people need to realise that a crime has taken place and the criminal is still at large and needs to face up to his actions and take full responsibility for causing harm. It's really sad that people are actually like this in the world and maybe need to wake up to the reality of the situation and and stop being so spiteful! @ the end of the day he is someone's father, son, brother, cousin and grandfather! it doesnt make it alright for someone to do this! this is not acceptable! i hope he is recovering and wish him well!
Well said mate. Why is no one condemning the animals who do this act sorry I think I am being harsh on animals likening them to these criminals. Anyway this is a hardworking man unlike the people posting spiteful jobcenter inspired literature

MarsLander says...
7:03am Fri 15 Mar 13

This story is not about the people who are abusive to taxi drivers.

Taxi drivers have been attacked by customers since as long as I can remember, although it was rare. No-one is condoning these attacks.

This story is about taxi drivers wanting a freebie from the council because of these attacks.

That's why taxi drivers are getting a hard time on this story, because no-one outside the taxi-driving community believes the council should pay for screens or CCTV, we all believe that the taxi firms and/or drivers should pay for this themselves out of their own money.

There is no argument to be had. The council, under no circumstances, should pay a single penny towards taxi equipment.

Most people would not dream of going to the council cap in hand for a handout to help their business. For many of us, a handout from public funds is a last resort, not a first resort.

I really don't understand the motivation for taxi drivers, who could easily afford these safety measures from their own funds, pressuring for us taxpayers to fund their private business improvements. I can only assume it is pure unadulterated greed on their part. A case of "Can pay, won't pay, you pay instead even though it's none of your business!"

If safety is such as issue, I suggest the Mayor bring in a condition of licensing that only taxis fitted with fully functional CCTV and safety screens be allowed to ply for trade after a certain time of evening, say 6p.m. - Guess how quickly all taxis in Watford would be fitted out with the improvements?

I would also urge the Mayor to bring in a minimum standard of cleanliness for taxis. As I said, the last time I took a taxi from the junction was probably about 10 years ago, but the experience put me off because it was dirty, had a blanket (covering god knows what) on the back seat to sit on and smelt of curry. Taxis from my youth were clean and smart and did not smell, taxi drivers then took a pride in their cars. Maybe things have changed, maybe the taxis are better now, but I for one am not interested in finding out.

While Dotty's at it, she should stop them from blocking every dropping off spot outside the station whilst waiting to get into the q to pick up passengers. The excess of taxis, at the station, are in my opinion a nuisance.

garston tony says...
8:11am Fri 15 Mar 13

Firstly, I and others have expressed the view the attacks on taxi drivers are wrong so those claiming that hasn’t happened should take more care and pay attention when reading through the comments.

Secondly as Mars pointed out this is an article about taxi drivers asking for extra security measures in their vehicles hence why the focus has not been on the specific attack.

Thirdly I do agree that its going off at a tangent to be moaning about taxi drivers in general.

However, the principle still remains. Taxi drivers or taxi firms are a business, like any other business if there is a need or call for extra security it is for the individual/business to look into that and provide it if they feel the need for it. Highlight the issue of attacks on the drivers by all means (and I can fully appreciate its not the easiest of jobs on some or possibly every night when you have myriads of boozed up customers wanting your services) but I truly don’t get why the call for the council to do something about cctv and screens as it does give the impression that you are asking the tax payer to fund it.

Or are you just asking the council to make it compulsory for taxis to have these security features so that firms drivers work for have to provide them for them?

comments says...
8:35am Fri 15 Mar 13

Haswat26 wrote:
This is not the first time this happened. It will lead to repercussions. Just like what was happening in the 90's wars between south oxhey yobs and Asian youths. best to deal with the situation now rather than trigger a ticking time bomb.
Haswat26 - What a stupid comment! You are an idiot! This has nothing to do with race!

Traveller Tom McD says...
8:39am Fri 15 Mar 13

Some of these posts come from people with chips on thier shoulders pro-cabbie or not and with unfortunate racist undertones, colour, creed or gender is not the issue here.The point is simple so try and absorb this. Seemingly every week we get a photo of an injured cabbie in a side on pose and than requests by scroungers such as Shafiq Ahmed going cap in hand to the tax payer. What are you cabbies waiting for? More assaults? a cabbie to be killed? PAY FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY or if you arent prepared to, then get out of the kitchen ! You are becoming very tiresome and have little support from WO readers so give it up please!

comments says...
8:57am Fri 15 Mar 13

live well wrote:
the sados that sit and write all this rubbish need to think about their comments, probably ppl who don't work, go and get a life, i totally agree with no bodys buisness, instead of spending money on a unsafe town invest money into safety first. These drivers all pay tax and insurance and a VERY high price in car insurance to cover their passangers too and it is thousands, so to all those low life ppl sitting writing rubblish THINK! this guy is a really nice man, DON'T judge a person, to the mayor, isn't it time you did something about this, you lay ur law to these drivers and state that every job has to be picked no matter how short or far the journey, i ask you 1 thing, what are you going to do to move forward and help these drivers? dont spend my money on the ghost town its not worth it, make our town safe and then think about developing it further.
http://www.taxiblog.
co.uk/2006/12/cabbie
-caught-for-second-t
ime/

Have a read of that you moron!

"dont spend my money on the ghost town its not worth it, make our town safe and then think about developing it further"

That comment is stupid!

Traveller Tom McD says...
9:45am Fri 15 Mar 13

With respect, you can only earn a living while 'living' so once again i suggest cabbies buy the protection they need and not grace WO pages with pointless poses. Its a bed you chose to lie in so do what you can to sleep in it safely.

garston tony says...
10:14am Fri 15 Mar 13

Traveller Tom McD wrote:
With respect, you can only earn a living while 'living' so once again i suggest cabbies buy the protection they need and not grace WO pages with pointless poses. Its a bed you chose to lie in so do what you can to sleep in it safely.
My premises havent been targetted (touch wood) but I still have a couple of cctv cameras set up just in case.

But due to the nature of the business I am in I do supply safety equipment to the people I employ and we also have procedures in place to safeguard anyone who is out on a job on their own.

Some of this we have to provide, some of it is extra because we felt it was the right thing to do.

I totally agree with you and have said it myself too, if the taxi drivers want cctv and screens it is for them or the firms they work for to supply them. I really dont understand the reasoning behind bringin this wish to the press, it is a matter for them to sort out themselves.

Everyone has to make a living but no one is forced to be a taxi driver and again I agree if they think the working conditions are too dangerous then they should walk away.

MarsLander says...
10:25am Fri 15 Mar 13

Totally agree with Tony's comments. Well said.

MrBlackCab says...
10:52am Fri 15 Mar 13

At the end of the day, buy your safety and dnt look at others to pay for it. Too many Internet warriors here, prob mr khan family members lol.

johnny_english1 says...
11:08am Fri 15 Mar 13

MrBlackCab wrote:
johnny_english1 wrote:
KAren Smythe wrote:
johnny_english1 wrote:
KAren Smythe wrote: Perhaps the Watford Hackney Carriage Drivers’ Association could buy the equipment in bulk and negotiate their own discount. Or try this http://www.safeshiel d-ltd.co.uk/pages/pr ices.html. £295.Order more than 10 and you get a discount. I'd also be interested to know how many female and non-asian members they have.
Oh boy you must be really smart and took your time to think of that one. To be a licensed taxi driver there is a process regulated through watford council, including fees, vehicle etc. Anybody can apply including women and members from all backgrounds be it white or Asian, male or female. In your brain wave you tried to imply that licensing is regulated by Asians it is not. You can be a driver if you pass the knowledge test. As for the hackney association many people are taxi drivers and not members of the association , it's entirely a personal choice. Do use simple common sense in future. Now on the CCTV issue the drivers aren't asking the council to pay, they're simply saying "you" buy make it a requirement to sell to the drivers without making a loss. It's not taxpayers money the taxi driver also pays tax, the taxi drivers pays all sorts of fees to watford borough council also. Yes all industries have there bad apples , just imagine a weekend of ten thousand in the night life of watford , lots of drunken yobs running around urinating where needed and there's no taxis because they don't feel safe. That cleanup would cost far more. Also as mentioned the investigation into assault crimes also costs far more. If you feel you are getting ripped of note the plate or license number clearly visible in the cab and report it to the council. Now to mr London cabbie this is watford a few miles radius not greater London buddy.
The question I asked, nobhead, was how many Women or Non Asian members were in the WATFORD Hackney Carriage Drivers' Association.
the answer I gave shithead chav was In Reply to your question, read it that may help, how many woman drivers are they full stop, I've only seen one hackney lady. As for whites there are hackney drivers I don't know if they've joined ask the council I'm not a council employee or for the asociation. Now to London cabbie, firstly moron I ain't the one crying with your atitude I see why you drive with a black cab though. As for my career don't assume I'm educated unlike you. Stick to pub amusements and don't try and lecture me on what's career I want. As for the black cab issue I agree but in watford they have to be fairly new to be plated its not london the laws for vehicles are fairly relaxed there. As for the shop job jibe yeah we own the shops but our stackers are mostly school dropouts multi purpose urinaters like youreself.
Johnny English why you getting so worked up about this? You should change your name to your real name and stop pretending to be Mr English. I weren't talking about you, I was on about the cab drivers in watford changing their career, but sounds of it it seems you must be one of them. Dnt worry son the grass is greener on the other side. Il pop by for a kebab later.
No you started giving Abit of lip then when u got it back. I think you recalled your true space. As for your cabbie attackers there frightened little sh**s who attack working class family men that just strive to put food on the table and be good fathers to there legitimate children of wedlock not Saturday night fevers. These scumbags usually do so in twos or threes one on one same age there little weaklings nothing more.

Stop assuming I'm a cabbie this is the net I choose what name I wish just like you there's nothing to be frightened of lol , I jut choose to remain so, for your information British or English encompasses skin colour and I'm both , be a man speak your mind and don't hide behind suggestive reasoning. As for the kebab sure il buy you one.

johnny_english1 says...
11:12am Fri 15 Mar 13

No net warriors here mate to outside take a walk reflect on the real scenario then you'll know whose the net warriors etc , lol I'm not defending Imtiaz the person , I'm on about you filthy coward scum that made it a race and cultural issue .

MrBlackCab says...
11:44am Fri 15 Mar 13

Mr English shut up and let's get back to the main issues; YOU the watford cab drivers need to raise your own funds for your own safety just like I did. Works not same out there as it used to be like, times have changed. So sort it out amongst yourselfs and stop trying to get famous. Your obviously a watford cab driver, nothing to be ashamed about son, I know cab drivers with master degrees happily working on the streets of London, the proper taxi working place. All I'm saying sort it out amongst your union not splatter pictures of cab drivers who look half dead as it is, I mean look at mr khan, I can't see not bruises or cuts, he probably got a tap on his shoulder and threw his night takings at the so called mugger. I go to my local gym and boxing club and look after my self, so I'm happy to have a tear up when it needs to be done, you look at these watford cab drivers you just have say boo they will **** they re load. So mr English you Internet cabbie warrior go teach the cabbies and your self some self defence lessons.

MrBlackCab says...
11:53am Fri 15 Mar 13

Haswat shut up; your just stirring up some trouble. How do you know the mugger was not black, Asian etc??? You silly little boy, your probably still sit ting on swing with someone pushing you.

MrBlackCab says...
12:07pm Fri 15 Mar 13

nobodys_business wrote:
MrBlackCab wrote:
I'm a London cabbie now who used to work in watford as a private hire driver, I'm getting fed up with hearing from theses watford cab drivers every other week and its just stupid old broken track record I keep hearing, if you want to work nights in any town as a cab driver the first thing you look out for is your own safety, buy a bloody black cab, they come with safety screen and built in CCTV, there are so many to chose from to suit everyone's budget, it's a no brainier, it's your business so dnt expect anyone else to pay your bills or safety. Other issue I have is half these watford cabbies who I have worked with for many years dnt NOT know how to communicate with passengers, this is half of their problem other issue is a lot of them dnt know how to read or write, now hear me out, how can you give a cabbie a destination when he can not read???? When he takes you to the wrong destination your not going to shake his hand or pay his fare are you???? This is why SOME of these cabbies get a kicking. The watford council needs to start cleaning these cow boy cabbies as it dnt look good for the rest of us. I bet you my house this cabbie can't read or write!!!!!
I think your just somebody rude and need to mind what you write about other people. Just to inform you he can READ and WRITE. You should'nt be allowed to discriminate people on any grounds, not even on the internet. Just tooo inform you Mr Khan is just glad that he is ALIVE and WELL.
I'm just speaking my mind, anyway the Khan family is always in the watford observer, not once have I read anything good about them, scum. Anyway how did mr khan afford to live in moor park???? Wish I stayed and worked in watford now, must be worth a few million.

johnny_english1 says...
12:23pm Fri 15 Mar 13

MrBlackCab wrote:
nobodys_business wrote:
MrBlackCab wrote: I'm a London cabbie now who used to work in watford as a private hire driver, I'm getting fed up with hearing from theses watford cab drivers every other week and its just stupid old broken track record I keep hearing, if you want to work nights in any town as a cab driver the first thing you look out for is your own safety, buy a bloody black cab, they come with safety screen and built in CCTV, there are so many to chose from to suit everyone's budget, it's a no brainier, it's your business so dnt expect anyone else to pay your bills or safety. Other issue I have is half these watford cabbies who I have worked with for many years dnt NOT know how to communicate with passengers, this is half of their problem other issue is a lot of them dnt know how to read or write, now hear me out, how can you give a cabbie a destination when he can not read???? When he takes you to the wrong destination your not going to shake his hand or pay his fare are you???? This is why SOME of these cabbies get a kicking. The watford council needs to start cleaning these cow boy cabbies as it dnt look good for the rest of us. I bet you my house this cabbie can't read or write!!!!!
I think your just somebody rude and need to mind what you write about other people. Just to inform you he can READ and WRITE. You should'nt be allowed to discriminate people on any grounds, not even on the internet. Just tooo inform you Mr Khan is just glad that he is ALIVE and WELL.
I'm just speaking my mind, anyway the Khan family is always in the watford observer, not once have I read anything good about them, scum. Anyway how did mr khan afford to live in moor park???? Wish I stayed and worked in watford now, must be worth a few million.
lol listen talk about self defence or boxing to someone whose a stranger to it not me, I'm also very for self defence and not all can drivers are like u mentioned , just like London cabbies ain't all balding fat beer belly men who look like vicky pollard from little brittain

Next thing don't be a utter pollock your probably a senior gentleman so don't force me to use rude language , there are hundreds of people with the surname khan in watfor not relate to each other , many are honest hard working lawyers , accountants doctors etc etc do not be a pollock and gentalise. I don't like using such language but you force me to do so. Now on the issue I agree the cabbies should pay I said that in the first place I was just suggesting it being regulated, to ensure quality efficiency and cooperation with the authorities. I don't think or feel the money should be handed to the cabbies ofcourse not. Last point I don't know what cabbies you seen but many a time a would be nightmare in a cab was left counting his teeth. ;)

johnny_english1 says...
12:26pm Fri 15 Mar 13

Just stuff I've heard

nobodys_business says...
2:11pm Fri 15 Mar 13

MrBlackCab wrote:
nobodys_business wrote:
MrBlackCab wrote:
I'm a London cabbie now who used to work in watford as a private hire driver, I'm getting fed up with hearing from theses watford cab drivers every other week and its just stupid old broken track record I keep hearing, if you want to work nights in any town as a cab driver the first thing you look out for is your own safety, buy a bloody black cab, they come with safety screen and built in CCTV, there are so many to chose from to suit everyone's budget, it's a no brainier, it's your business so dnt expect anyone else to pay your bills or safety. Other issue I have is half these watford cabbies who I have worked with for many years dnt NOT know how to communicate with passengers, this is half of their problem other issue is a lot of them dnt know how to read or write, now hear me out, how can you give a cabbie a destination when he can not read???? When he takes you to the wrong destination your not going to shake his hand or pay his fare are you???? This is why SOME of these cabbies get a kicking. The watford council needs to start cleaning these cow boy cabbies as it dnt look good for the rest of us. I bet you my house this cabbie can't read or write!!!!!
I think your just somebody rude and need to mind what you write about other people. Just to inform you he can READ and WRITE. You should'nt be allowed to discriminate people on any grounds, not even on the internet. Just tooo inform you Mr Khan is just glad that he is ALIVE and WELL.
I'm just speaking my mind, anyway the Khan family is always in the watford observer, not once have I read anything good about them, scum. Anyway how did mr khan afford to live in moor park???? Wish I stayed and worked in watford now, must be worth a few million.
lol, he dont live in moor park...n who u calling scum...u mus b one urself!...Mr Khan's family is never in the papers....i think you've got people mixed up. I think its best if you keep your rudeness to urself cos no-one wants to hear it. Also he dont want no cctv in his car. It was a suggestion put through by other people and poor Mr Khans name has been brought into this. I swear he is just on this article because of the attack and nothing more.

johnny_english1 says...
2:30pm Fri 15 Mar 13

The problem is a Abit wider it's really a shame when people cannot respect each other through mutual understanding and accept that in great brittain we are a multi racial community instead at the first instance we use silly instances to indirectly attack people and cultures, everybody every community has bad apples its what the good guys do that counts. This discussion should show a solid community and condemn perpretators whoever they may be instead the current discussion is quite sick. Being a good human being is what we should all aspire to be. I think it's a tragic state of our communities.

MrBlackCab says...
2:45pm Fri 15 Mar 13

Johnny English how's work anyway at watford junction??? You should try promote your self and try do the knowledge test for the city of London, I'm happy to help you teach the routes around the city if you want my help! It be a eye opener for you and it's not for the faint hearted. If you pass the knowledge il buy you a CCTV kit for your cab :).

To nobody business, mr khan has been in the watford observer many times for illegally plying for hire, I read the article.

GoraaLiveitUp says...
2:55pm Fri 15 Mar 13

Moor park.... Haha Mr BlackCab really does talk ****!!! Just by you saying this really just goes to go that you really have no clue what your talking about mate! Get your facts straight first!!!!!

GoraaLiveitUp says...
2:56pm Fri 15 Mar 13

Moor park.... Haha Mr BlackCab really does talk ****!!! Just by you saying this really just goes to go that you really have no clue what your talking about mate! Get your facts straight first!!!!!

GoraaLiveitUp says...
2:57pm Fri 15 Mar 13

Moor park.... Haha Mr BlackCab really does talk ****!!! Just by you saying this really just goes to go that you really have no clue what your talking about mate! Get your facts straight first!!!!!

garston tony says...
3:23pm Fri 15 Mar 13

Johnyenglish, you say its a shame that people dont show respect for one another. How's about leading by example?

johnny_english1 says...
4:16pm Fri 15 Mar 13

I didn't hurl the abuse to start of with garston tony I gave it back I'm all for peace and harmony tony but I also don't advocate turning the other cheek.

London cabbie for the one hundredth time I don't cab at watford junction it's great you passed your knowledge test for London it really is a hard test so well done. I prefer my 9-5 job thanks

mrn_wfc says...
6:31pm Fri 15 Mar 13

nobodys_business wrote:
MrBlackCab wrote:
nobodys_business wrote:
MrBlackCab wrote:
I'm a London cabbie now who used to work in watford as a private hire driver, I'm getting fed up with hearing from theses watford cab drivers every other week and its just stupid old broken track record I keep hearing, if you want to work nights in any town as a cab driver the first thing you look out for is your own safety, buy a bloody black cab, they come with safety screen and built in CCTV, there are so many to chose from to suit everyone's budget, it's a no brainier, it's your business so dnt expect anyone else to pay your bills or safety. Other issue I have is half these watford cabbies who I have worked with for many years dnt NOT know how to communicate with passengers, this is half of their problem other issue is a lot of them dnt know how to read or write, now hear me out, how can you give a cabbie a destination when he can not read???? When he takes you to the wrong destination your not going to shake his hand or pay his fare are you???? This is why SOME of these cabbies get a kicking. The watford council needs to start cleaning these cow boy cabbies as it dnt look good for the rest of us. I bet you my house this cabbie can't read or write!!!!!
I think your just somebody rude and need to mind what you write about other people. Just to inform you he can READ and WRITE. You should'nt be allowed to discriminate people on any grounds, not even on the internet. Just tooo inform you Mr Khan is just glad that he is ALIVE and WELL.
I'm just speaking my mind, anyway the Khan family is always in the watford observer, not once have I read anything good about them, scum. Anyway how did mr khan afford to live in moor park???? Wish I stayed and worked in watford now, must be worth a few million.
lol, he dont live in moor park...n who u calling scum...u mus b one urself!...Mr Khan's family is never in the papers....i think you've got people mixed up. I think its best if you keep your rudeness to urself cos no-one wants to hear it. Also he dont want no cctv in his car. It was a suggestion put through by other people and poor Mr Khans name has been brought into this. I swear he is just on this article because of the attack and nothing more.
Your Wrong. Imtiaz Khan has been in the Papers. Watford Observer caught him doing illegal cabby work in Breach of his Taxi license. Not once but Twice. Hes lucky to still be a cabbie. Morale of th story the guy aint a total angel himself. Also the scuff on his bumper wont cost thousands to Repair. I'm sure Chips Away can buff that out for a few quid.

mrn_wfc says...
6:36pm Fri 15 Mar 13

Mr Black cab man. He doesnt live in Moor Park. I notice that House somewhere Before in West Watford Near Westfield School. Not quite Moor Park fella. I might be wrong. If i am wrong Apologies chappy.

Mohandas says...
10:31pm Fri 15 Mar 13

All of the above comments show that apathy is not quite dead when it comes to merely discussing whether WBC should fund CCTV for taxis. Hope we have the same passion when discussing bankers receiving bonuses for failure and hope there are no cultural / racial angles to grind.

Traveller Tom McD says...
11:12pm Fri 15 Mar 13

While i take your point on the racial
cultural thing, the drivers race should not be a focal point, most WO posts seem to end up that way. However, taxi drivers do themselves no favours by continuing to whinge about security and do nothing about it. We keep labouring the point here. As an obvious sympathiser that you are, can i suggest you direct your energy and ill conceived expertise in setting up a support group or something useful instead of flogging a dead horse here?

MarsLander says...
11:54pm Fri 15 Mar 13

Mohandas wrote:
All of the above comments show that apathy is not quite dead when it comes to merely discussing whether WBC should fund CCTV for taxis. Hope we have the same passion when discussing bankers receiving bonuses for failure and hope there are no cultural / racial angles to grind.
Not sure you "get it".

Taxis are businesses and won't spend their money on safety equipment, preferring to press for a taxpayer handout.

Bankers on the other hand are part of a business and are paid for from the business. No state handouts, it's from banking profits.

Also, as taxpayers we should have some say in how our money is spent. Hence no payouts to taxi businesses.

As customers of the banking business, it is none of our business how the banks spend their profits.

Banks are profitable, they are not failing (although they almost did a few years ago they are profitable again now by and large).

Let's keep to the story Mo. Do we, as taxpayers, subsidise local taxi businesses? Of course not, it's silly to think we would! Time for the taxi drivers to take a reality check and put their hands in their pockets and pay for this themselves.

Whitby1964 says...
7:45am Sat 16 Mar 13

This article shows the sad state of our town caused by a minority of the public. I agree with Jan Brown that I'd rather my money be spent on other causes and the drunken yobs who attack these drivers be forced to pay for a screen or CCTV camera to be fitted (and have to fit it or learn how to!)

However, and although I'm sure such attacks are humiliating, (and racial comments unacceptable in any circumstances) I've found it pretty "humiliating" when I've three times been refused a ride in a Watford cab as "you can walk that far". Each time was with my elderly mother. I don't have to explain personal circumstances and needs to a cab driver and each time was left red faced.

The answer really is that there have been too many taxi licences issued in the town so each driver wants the best jobs.

Whitby1964 says...
7:48am Sat 16 Mar 13

johnhornet wrote:
And another thing......"Wor
k is at an all time low because of the economy" is quote from the article. I said "I would walk 5 miles home barefoot in snow rather than get a taxi from Watford Junction".

I know of many other who feel the same because of rude drivers who feel the world owes them a living, smelly cabs, using phones while driving etc etc.

Watford has many decent minicab services - its a pity they are not allowed to use the Junction station.
Thought exactly the same when I saw the headline. Someone is going to get run over unless a crossing is put in as the drivers are so desperate to get up to the car park and turn round for a fare, they take no notice of people crossing to the Church Road alleyway.

Razor Sharp says...
12:23pm Sat 16 Mar 13

MarsLander wrote:
Mohandas wrote:
All of the above comments show that apathy is not quite dead when it comes to merely discussing whether WBC should fund CCTV for taxis. Hope we have the same passion when discussing bankers receiving bonuses for failure and hope there are no cultural / racial angles to grind.
Not sure you "get it".

Taxis are businesses and won't spend their money on safety equipment, preferring to press for a taxpayer handout.

Bankers on the other hand are part of a business and are paid for from the business. No state handouts, it's from banking profits.

Also, as taxpayers we should have some say in how our money is spent. Hence no payouts to taxi businesses.

As customers of the banking business, it is none of our business how the banks spend their profits.

Banks are profitable, they are not failing (although they almost did a few years ago they are profitable again now by and large).

Let's keep to the story Mo. Do we, as taxpayers, subsidise local taxi businesses? Of course not, it's silly to think we would! Time for the taxi drivers to take a reality check and put their hands in their pockets and pay for this themselves.
I tend to agree with MarsLander. CCTV is a part and parcel of a security expense of the business. Taxis are a business after all. A well organised Taxi firm can net its drivers approximately £20 p.h., based on my conversations with some cabbies in the Midlands.

Why are we even discussing funding of CCTV? Why don't the taxi drivers spend the money and purchase the said CCTVs and include it as part of their write down allowance and make further tax savings on their tax returns?

Are the attacks motivated by race, poor communication skills, over-charging or just drunken / drug-induced behaviour, who knows for sure. Perhaps it's a combination of all of the above, and as one poster stated, a Hackney / Black Taxi, with plastic shielded windows is the right way to go for the night time economy.

If the risk to personal safety at night is greater, as well as the fare income, then the investment in personal security should be proportionate. After all, shops operating in high risk areas install steel shutters and extensive CCTV cameras normally, but not always, at their own expense.

MrBlackCab says...
1:25pm Sat 16 Mar 13

johnny_english1 wrote:
I didn't hurl the abuse to start of with garston tony I gave it back I'm all for peace and harmony tony but I also don't advocate turning the other cheek.

London cabbie for the one hundredth time I don't cab at watford junction it's great you passed your knowledge test for London it really is a hard test so well done. I prefer my 9-5 job thanks
Thank you mr English, yes the knowledge is tough not for the faint hearted. But I still think your a watford cab driver mr English, I can tell by the way you write your article, your maybe mr khan himself, but on other hand I do understand why your not admitting your a watford cabbie though!

Haswat26 says...
7:54pm Sat 16 Mar 13

Com find me shapers gym mon - fri 7-9pm

Haswat26 says...
7:56pm Sat 16 Mar 13

U will see who a net warrior and who is the real deal p u55135

Haswat26 says...
8:00pm Sat 16 Mar 13

Ps I know all three cabbies personally and they all Asian and didn't hear ne1 moaning bout the curry comments earlier??

Haswat26 says...
8:01pm Sat 16 Mar 13

Double standard islamaphobes

Haswat26 says...
8:01pm Sat 16 Mar 13

Never fear never submit never conform

mrn_wfc says...
8:26pm Sat 16 Mar 13

Haswat26 wrote:
Never fear never submit never conform
Be Quiet. I'm asian and you make me cringe with the rubbish you just posted.

MrBlackCab says...
10:11pm Sat 16 Mar 13

Haswat26 give me a specific time, I'm not going to wait all evening, I work for a living and bring a friend or two, oh bring johnny English too. Shapers the gym I train at, your gona **** your load again boys, boooo!

LSC says...
11:35pm Sat 16 Mar 13

mrn_wfc wrote:
Haswat26 wrote:
Never fear never submit never conform
Be Quiet. I'm asian and you make me cringe with the rubbish you just posted.
Well said. Stop it, children; the grown-ups are trying to have a discussion.

LSC says...
11:51pm Sat 16 Mar 13

I should add, I do not belong to a gym and nor am I 'well 'ard'.
I don't need to be. I can usually out-think a potential problem (if I was a cabbie, I'd have paid for CCTV out my own pocket, it simply makes sense), I wouldn't pick up drunks late at night. you want to get drunk? You walk home, and you knew that before you went out.
If I DID want to profit from the drunks, then I'd have to take the **** that goes with it.
Nobody else should pay for that choice I made.

MrBlackCab says...
12:16am Sun 17 Mar 13

nobodys_business wrote:
MrBlackCab wrote:
nobodys_business wrote:
MrBlackCab wrote:
I'm a London cabbie now who used to work in watford as a private hire driver, I'm getting fed up with hearing from theses watford cab drivers every other week and its just stupid old broken track record I keep hearing, if you want to work nights in any town as a cab driver the first thing you look out for is your own safety, buy a bloody black cab, they come with safety screen and built in CCTV, there are so many to chose from to suit everyone's budget, it's a no brainier, it's your business so dnt expect anyone else to pay your bills or safety. Other issue I have is half these watford cabbies who I have worked with for many years dnt NOT know how to communicate with passengers, this is half of their problem other issue is a lot of them dnt know how to read or write, now hear me out, how can you give a cabbie a destination when he can not read???? When he takes you to the wrong destination your not going to shake his hand or pay his fare are you???? This is why SOME of these cabbies get a kicking. The watford council needs to start cleaning these cow boy cabbies as it dnt look good for the rest of us. I bet you my house this cabbie can't read or write!!!!!
I think your just somebody rude and need to mind what you write about other people. Just to inform you he can READ and WRITE. You should'nt be allowed to discriminate people on any grounds, not even on the internet. Just tooo inform you Mr Khan is just glad that he is ALIVE and WELL.
I'm just speaking my mind, anyway the Khan family is always in the watford observer, not once have I read anything good about them, scum. Anyway how did mr khan afford to live in moor park???? Wish I stayed and worked in watford now, must be worth a few million.
lol, he dont live in moor park...n who u calling scum...u mus b one urself!...Mr Khan's family is never in the papers....i think you've got people mixed up. I think its best if you keep your rudeness to urself cos no-one wants to hear it. Also he dont want no cctv in his car. It was a suggestion put through by other people and poor Mr Khans name has been brought into this. I swear he is just on this article because of the attack and nothing more.
I bet johnny English failed his o level in English lol, get back to watford junction son.

Haswat26 says...
1:57am Sun 17 Mar 13

MrBlackCab wrote:
Haswat26 give me a specific time, I'm not going to wait all evening, I work for a living and bring a friend or two, oh bring johnny English too. Shapers the gym I train at, your gona **** your load again boys, boooo!
Monday At 7 boy. Dnt need no one for u. U think u know faz and ur hard biggest pu55y in west watford. Com bring ur boys we can kick it of with a "bang" hahaha lol

Haswat26 says...
1:57am Sun 17 Mar 13

MrBlackCab wrote:
Haswat26 give me a specific time, I'm not going to wait all evening, I work for a living and bring a friend or two, oh bring johnny English too. Shapers the gym I train at, your gona **** your load again boys, boooo!
Monday At 7 boy. Dnt need no one for u. U think u know faz and ur hard biggest pu55y in west watford. Com bring ur boys we can kick it of with a "bang" hahaha lol

Razor Sharp says...
7:10am Sun 17 Mar 13

You two read like extras from Rise of the Foot Soldier, with an ethnic twist.

Let us know the outcome of your 'meet and greet'.

Mohandas says...
12:00pm Sun 17 Mar 13

Razor Sharp wrote:
You two read like extras from Rise of the Foot Soldier, with an ethnic twist.

Let us know the outcome of your 'meet and greet'.
Any chance of a live feed like a cabbie installing CCTV on this live exercise in peaceful consultation so we get a transparent knock out decision?

MrBlackCab says...
12:36pm Sun 17 Mar 13

Cant believe haswat, i thought we re meeting to have a discussion abt cctv in cabs??? Oh well Il school him and put it on you tube chaps. Il teach the muppet to never turn to violence again just get your point across.

johnny_english1 says...
1:30pm Sun 17 Mar 13

MrBlackCab wrote:
Haswat26 give me a specific time, I'm not going to wait all evening, I work for a living and bring a friend or two, oh bring johnny English too. Shapers the gym I train at, your gona **** your load again boys, boooo!
I can react just as you like stop being a pr**k I had nothing to do with your scuffle to do with haswat so why are you dragging me into it as for your macho man talk calm down old man someone will bit** slap you. Now act your age and stop getting emotional. Talk on the topic I don't have time for personal rants and a wannabe rocky lol.

johnny_english1 says...
1:42pm Sun 17 Mar 13

MrBlackCab wrote:
nobodys_business wrote:
MrBlackCab wrote:
nobodys_business wrote:
MrBlackCab wrote: I'm a London cabbie now who used to work in watford as a private hire driver, I'm getting fed up with hearing from theses watford cab drivers every other week and its just stupid old broken track record I keep hearing, if you want to work nights in any town as a cab driver the first thing you look out for is your own safety, buy a bloody black cab, they come with safety screen and built in CCTV, there are so many to chose from to suit everyone's budget, it's a no brainier, it's your business so dnt expect anyone else to pay your bills or safety. Other issue I have is half these watford cabbies who I have worked with for many years dnt NOT know how to communicate with passengers, this is half of their problem other issue is a lot of them dnt know how to read or write, now hear me out, how can you give a cabbie a destination when he can not read???? When he takes you to the wrong destination your not going to shake his hand or pay his fare are you???? This is why SOME of these cabbies get a kicking. The watford council needs to start cleaning these cow boy cabbies as it dnt look good for the rest of us. I bet you my house this cabbie can't read or write!!!!!
I think your just somebody rude and need to mind what you write about other people. Just to inform you he can READ and WRITE. You should'nt be allowed to discriminate people on any grounds, not even on the internet. Just tooo inform you Mr Khan is just glad that he is ALIVE and WELL.
I'm just speaking my mind, anyway the Khan family is always in the watford observer, not once have I read anything good about them, scum. Anyway how did mr khan afford to live in moor park???? Wish I stayed and worked in watford now, must be worth a few million.
lol, he dont live in moor park...n who u calling scum...u mus b one urself!...Mr Khan's family is never in the papers....i think you've got people mixed up. I think its best if you keep your rudeness to urself cos no-one wants to hear it. Also he dont want no cctv in his car. It was a suggestion put through by other people and poor Mr Khans name has been brought into this. I swear he is just on this article because of the attack and nothing more.
I bet johnny English failed his o level in English lol, get back to watford junction son.
I think you was talking to someone else and as a typo put my name in it , I got more qualifications then you have brain cells old man lol

MrBlackCab says...
2:58pm Sun 17 Mar 13

Johnny English I see you on Monday for our CCTV discussion at shapers, stop being a Internet warrior with no balls. You probably short, fat and bold with a beer belly who wears addidas track suits bottoms pretending to be rocky and never thrown a right hand in your life.

johnny_english1 says...
3:02pm Sun 17 Mar 13

your probably a fat overweight fck who sits there and rates his fat arse in local take aways, sure il see you there il look for a sumo wrestler In a nappy, oh and moving ur arse to grab a burger doesn't constitute a punch

johnny_english1 says...
3:18pm Sun 17 Mar 13

I would say the Adidas to you but I guess they don't manufacture your arse size lol

MrBlackCab says...
3:54pm Sun 17 Mar 13

Listen son I look after myself, I'm 46 years old and I still out do 20 years olds in the ring. If your man enough il be working out at shapers on Monday from 7pm, so please come along.

MrBlackCab says...
3:59pm Sun 17 Mar 13

Haswat yes I do know faz, I like you to say that to his face, il have him there with me on Monday, Silly boy.

johnny_english1 says...
4:01pm Sun 17 Mar 13

I'm really petrified lol who do I look for Santa? Or a power ranger or maybe your the Kung fu panda. Like I said grow up and stop rating youreself.

johnny_english1 says...
4:05pm Sun 17 Mar 13

If your really 46 then lead by example and stop being a silly teenager,mrblackcab , at your age people mature not act silly

MrBlackCab says...
4:24pm Sun 17 Mar 13

Look mr English I'm just sticking up for myself, I dnt need to use words on the Internet I just hate it when you lot make it into a race row, yes there's racism out there but not one of them scum, I have Pakistani friends too many big names from watford, this why I know what most of watford cabbies are about, I'm sure you will understand where I'm coming from, we all got bad apples no matter what your back ground is, but the truths the truth and I'm not scared for stating that. Thank you for your time any further discussion il be at shapers gym Monday 7pm.

LSC says...
6:00pm Sun 17 Mar 13

Talk about handbags at 10 paces. Grow up you two. IF (and we all know you won't) you go through with this 'showdown', then all it will result in is the police and ambulance services being called, at my expense.
I pay my taxes to help people with cancer, and to keep criminals off the streets.

Not to referee a playground. You are both pathetic, and I can't decide whether to pity you or simply loathe you.

Razor Sharp says...
6:10pm Sun 17 Mar 13

This is like a poor man's dialogue from a Guy Ritchie style movie. All you need now is someone posting as Vinnie Jones or the Bollywood equivalent (Salman Khan).

Why don't you lot have a sponsored cage fight and donate the money to the taxi drivers that want CCTVs. At least it will stop these annoying WO articles with an unhealthy focus on CCTVs. You will find an outlet for your Fighting talk and contribute to fund raising for CCTV cameras. Just make sure you don't make a cash donation, because it'll never make it to the purchase of CCTV cameras.

Joking aside, no one deserves to be violently abused while earning a living, but with such risks people should make the necessary investments for their own safety or alter working habits or choice of client group.

johnny_english1 says...
7:33pm Sun 17 Mar 13

MrBlackCab wrote:
Look mr English I'm just sticking up for myself, I dnt need to use words on the Internet I just hate it when you lot make it into a race row, yes there's racism out there but not one of them scum, I have Pakistani friends too many big names from watford, this why I know what most of watford cabbies are about, I'm sure you will understand where I'm coming from, we all got bad apples no matter what your back ground is, but the truths the truth and I'm not scared for stating that. Thank you for your time any further discussion il be at shapers gym Monday 7pm.
I beg to differ and please people don't class me in the same track as mrblackcabguy. Mate you was the one coming here giving it all the lip and stuff knowbody said jack all to you your the one here started the crappy comments and the cultural stuff. then suddenly u Start saying people are provoking you ? Read your posts about whippendell road etc etc. many big names? Maybe you should show those names the crap you talk here and im sure that smile would be wiped of your face, I'm not a 16 yr old that thinks violence solves the problem it dont ,in your case it may make a person feel better but there's nothing manly about it. You was having what not what with haswhat and you started bringing my name into it for no good reason. For your own good just stop it Incase I really do oblige to your none sense.

johnny_english1 says...
7:36pm Sun 17 Mar 13

Now on the topic, I don't know what your all experiences are with cabbies and yes everyone has there bad sheep but knowbody deserves this. I think the CCTV is a valid investment maybe the council can help in awareness ad help secure a better deal through there approach with companies.

johnny_english1 says...
7:41pm Sun 17 Mar 13

Me blackcab guy unless its on the topic kindly keep me out of your Rambo dialogues , I think that's as polite as it gets. This is a forum for discussion not for personal vandettas kids could be here so lets show some example. Yes at times I may have gone overboard to but it was purely a reaction not a action. So lets be civil.

Mohandas says...
7:50pm Sun 17 Mar 13

Razor, LSc, MrBlackCab, johnny_english1and all at ringside.

These drivers are stuck between a rock and a hard place in terms of their own safety and CCTV may not be the panacea.

Taxi Bill Of Rights
A driver may not refuse service to a customer based on the length of trip. Tough if you have been waiting a couple of hours for a basic fare.

Human rights law protects against discrimination based on a number of things, including race, religion, physical disability, sex or sexual orientation. It seems they need to take anybody.

Drivers may not ask a passenger to pay more than the displayed fare regardless of the type of client.

Passengers may need assistance entering or exiting the taxi, and storing items. This could lead to exposure problems as they exit their cab.


Taxi drivers may not add charges to the fare for handling luggage.

johnny_english1 says...
7:58pm Sun 17 Mar 13

Mohandas wrote:
Razor, LSc, MrBlackCab, johnny_english1and all at ringside. These drivers are stuck between a rock and a hard place in terms of their own safety and CCTV may not be the panacea. Taxi Bill Of Rights A driver may not refuse service to a customer based on the length of trip. Tough if you have been waiting a couple of hours for a basic fare. Human rights law protects against discrimination based on a number of things, including race, religion, physical disability, sex or sexual orientation. It seems they need to take anybody. Drivers may not ask a passenger to pay more than the displayed fare regardless of the type of client. Passengers may need assistance entering or exiting the taxi, and storing items. This could lead to exposure problems as they exit their cab. Taxi drivers may not add charges to the fare for handling luggage.
That's all common sense Gov I don't think anyone has a problem with that and cabbies that do that should be duly reported to the authorities

Razor Sharp says...
8:04pm Sun 17 Mar 13

I cannot see why WBC has to be involved in any part of the CCTV purchase process or negotiating a discount.

Shop owners invest in CCTV and treat it is a capital expenditure and part of their business. Taxis are a business and should not be treated any differently unless HMRC introduces a new tax treatment for that business model.

Expecting tax payers to foot any part of the bill for CCTV cameras is offensive. Capital allowances allow for write downs, hence reducing the overall tax bill. That should be a sufficient financial incentive for purchase of CCTV cameras, if indeed Taxi drivers want them.

Razor Sharp says...
8:22pm Sun 17 Mar 13

Mohandas wrote:
Razor, LSc, MrBlackCab, johnny_english1and all at ringside.

These drivers are stuck between a rock and a hard place in terms of their own safety and CCTV may not be the panacea.

Taxi Bill Of Rights
A driver may not refuse service to a customer based on the length of trip. Tough if you have been waiting a couple of hours for a basic fare.

Human rights law protects against discrimination based on a number of things, including race, religion, physical disability, sex or sexual orientation. It seems they need to take anybody.

Drivers may not ask a passenger to pay more than the displayed fare regardless of the type of client.

Passengers may need assistance entering or exiting the taxi, and storing items. This could lead to exposure problems as they exit their cab.


Taxi drivers may not add charges to the fare for handling luggage.
It's a violent society. Some Door Supervisors ('Bouncers') have been beaten, stabbed, shot at and worse. Some taxi drivers service the night time economy. Being at the front line presents several risks.

If taxi drivers intend to service that client base, then they need to:

1. have vehicles that reduce that risk;
2. install CCTV to act as a deterrent and increase detection;

or change their client target market.

It is probably a small minority of individuals that assault taxi drivers. Death is a real possibility. It just takes a strategically placed punch, a heart attack or a serious crash during the attack.

I cannot see how they are between a 'rock and a hard place'. Most of them have selected this profession; the risks are well publicised and it's not like they're going to be homeless or destitute anytime soon.

Deterrence, detection and punishment are important, but the tax payer should not pick up the bill for any preventative measures.

Razor Sharp says...
8:32pm Sun 17 Mar 13

The starting price of a Taxi CCTV system is £500. It's hardly going to break the bank.

http://www.bbc.co.uk
/news/uk-england-sou
th-yorkshire-2136862
9

mrn_wfc says...
9:28pm Sun 17 Mar 13

Seriously its like two babies figtining each other. Buy your own cctv's and stop begging to the tax payers. i.e me and everyone else. I get **** on a Fri night out, I dont pay for a cab why should i pay 5 quid a mile journey home. Bunch of crooks.

LSC says...
12:18am Mon 18 Mar 13

Mohandas wrote:
Razor, LSc, MrBlackCab, johnny_english1and all at ringside.

These drivers are stuck between a rock and a hard place in terms of their own safety and CCTV may not be the panacea.

Taxi Bill Of Rights
A driver may not refuse service to a customer based on the length of trip. Tough if you have been waiting a couple of hours for a basic fare.

Human rights law protects against discrimination based on a number of things, including race, religion, physical disability, sex or sexual orientation. It seems they need to take anybody.

Drivers may not ask a passenger to pay more than the displayed fare regardless of the type of client.

Passengers may need assistance entering or exiting the taxi, and storing items. This could lead to exposure problems as they exit their cab.


Taxi drivers may not add charges to the fare for handling luggage.
Absolute rubbish, surely!
A taxi driver, like any giver of service from hotel owners to plumbers, can turn down any job or person they wish. They can also charge any price they wish.
The ones that discriminate or charge too much are soon out of business, but surely it is their 'Human Right' to choose?

Breach of contract over an agreed fare is another matter, so if I agree to pay the fare on the meter in advance, they cannot charge more. But they have every right in the world to refuse to take me in the first place.

Razor Sharp says...
8:05am Mon 18 Mar 13

Taxi Bill of Rights - perhaps over the pond in America or Canada (http://www.taxirigh
ts.gov.bc.ca/).

Here is the position of most London taxis, according to TFL:

Unless they have a good reason not to, drivers must:

Accept any hiring up to 12 miles or any hiring up to one hour duration, if the destination is in Greater London
Accept any hiring up to 20 miles if starting at Heathrow Airport
Accept any hiring up to one hour duration, if the destination is in Greater London

"Fares for destinations outside Greater London may be negotiated between the passenger and driver before the journey. If no fare is agreed before the start of the journey then the maximum fare will be that shown on the meter at the end of the journey".

However, taxi drivers can refuse to pick up fares when the controller at base radios them.

As for breach of contract - good luck with supplying sufficient evidence for that, together with the court fees in the small claims track of the Country Court, where court costs are virtually impossible to recover. I can't imagine someone suing over a fare discrepancy of £50 or less, arguing and becoming abusive - yes, refusing to pay - yes.

I am sure taxi drivers have several ways to refuse a fares.

Anyway, what is the relevance of that to participating in offering a taxi service in the night time economy, where there is a greater risk of abuse, arguments and violence?

Most posters, including myself, seem to agree that CCTV should be financed by Taxi drivers as a part of capital expenditure in their business. The tax payer should not pay any part of the bill for that ...... and rightly so.

garston tony says...
9:35am Mon 18 Mar 13

We're still yet to hear a reasoned reason why the tax payer via WBC should fund security measures for what are in effect businesses.

Its a question that been put in a round a bout way many times but not one decent response.

Razor Sharp says...
9:59am Mon 18 Mar 13

You won't get one, because there isn't one.

garston tony says...
10:22am Mon 18 Mar 13

Razor Sharp wrote:
You won't get one, because there isn't one.
I know. I'm just asking as some people are still it seems wishing to push that request.

Others of course are trying to be the next OJ Abrahams ie big egoed, obnoxious wannabe fighters

Razor Sharp says...
1:22pm Mon 18 Mar 13

Well garston tony, they are deluded. They are either coming from an 'entitlement' perspective (i.e. Government and all its delegated forms should protect us from harm and fund it) or are wet liberals.

Race might be an aggravating factor here (probably one of a number of other factors) but that has no bearing on who funds CCTV cameras. In such adverse economic times there is no room for wet liberals. Taxis are run as a business, profits are taken like a business, taxes are (sometimes) paid like a business, CCTVs should be funded on a purely business basis.

There is no rational argument for WBC to fully or partly fund CCTV cameras for taxi drivers.

sallywatford says...
2:31pm Mon 18 Mar 13

Out of interest, how much does the local council pay for the night time economy. How much council tax goes towards paying for the policing, for the clear up afterwards, for the purple flag.

It is a choice the LibDem Council will make. Does it feel there is a need to subsidise CCTV systems in the cabs on this town? At least the council should work with them.

Should the council decide not to fund or pay for the CCTV's within taxis, then it should withdraw funding for other businesses and any subsidiary activity. There should be 100% funding from the businesses to pay for the CCTV in the highstreet, for the policing, for the clear up which is a result of allowing clubs to stay open into an ungodly hour.

sallywatford says...
2:35pm Mon 18 Mar 13

In addition, if I was one of the trolls here, I would be very worried. There is some libel going on in the above posts directed towards Mr Khan, and he may well be able to fund his CCTV from it?!!

LSC says...
2:42pm Mon 18 Mar 13

"As for breach of contract - good luck with supplying sufficient evidence for that, together with the court fees in the small claims track of the Country Court, where court costs are virtually impossible to recover. I can't imagine someone suing over a fare discrepancy of £50 or less, arguing and becoming abusive - yes, refusing to pay - yes."

Well, yes, that is what I would do. Pay the agreed fare, then supply the taxi driver with my details and invite him to sue me for the difference.

garston tony says...
3:10pm Mon 18 Mar 13

Sally, your comment does nothing to explain why (some) taxi drivers feel that cctv and screens in taxi's should be paid for by the tax payer.

If you want to open a pub or club in Watford you have to meet a number of requirements which will include those relating to health and safety or employees and customers. The cost of keeping to those requirements is bourne by the business, not the government/local authority which sets the requirements. If said pub or club feels the need to go above and beyond what is specified in regulations then that is a cost that they also have to cover.In other words the council does not pay for cctv or door staff for clubs and pubs in Watford.

In addition they pay rates etc which covers amongst other things the cost to the local authority of managing the night time economy they are part of ie street cleaning.

If you want to be a taxi driver you and your vehicle at your own expense have to meet the requirements set down by the government and the local authority. If as a taxi driver you feel that additional secutiry is needed then that too should be met at your own expense, it’s a business related cost.

The police are there for the good of all be they the clubs and pubs, the revellers or indeed the taxi drivers themselves

Razor Sharp says...
3:17pm Mon 18 Mar 13

sallywatford wrote:
In addition, if I was one of the trolls here, I would be very worried. There is some libel going on in the above posts directed towards Mr Khan, and he may well be able to fund his CCTV from it?!!
The high street business argument is different. Grants for improving shops, security etc. if still available tend to have a beneficial impact on the locality and one could probably carry out a cost benefit analysis of the subsidy. High street businesses also pay high business rates. So a CCTV subsidy of, say £300, when the business rates are £20k+ p.a. is a drop in the ocean for WBC.

So, back to square one, as garston tony indicated, we're still looking for a convincing reason for subsidising CCTV cameras. WBC already helps taxi drivers .......... It issues them with licences!

As for Libel, difficult to prove in this context, assuming you can track down the real identity of the poster and then meet the stringent requirements for libel. Even then, if the case goes to the High Court, one needs about £500k just in case they lose. The damage to reputation here is likely to be financially low, everything considered. At most a few thousand pounds in damages.

Back to the drawing board sallywatford.

Razor Sharp says...
3:19pm Mon 18 Mar 13

LSC wrote:
"As for breach of contract - good luck with supplying sufficient evidence for that, together with the court fees in the small claims track of the Country Court, where court costs are virtually impossible to recover. I can't imagine someone suing over a fare discrepancy of £50 or less, arguing and becoming abusive - yes, refusing to pay - yes."

Well, yes, that is what I would do. Pay the agreed fare, then supply the taxi driver with my details and invite him to sue me for the difference.
Try it next time, see what the outcome is. I doubt it will be so easy.

Razor Sharp says...
3:42pm Mon 18 Mar 13

sallywatford wrote:
In addition, if I was one of the trolls here, I would be very worried. There is some libel going on in the above posts directed towards Mr Khan, and he may well be able to fund his CCTV from it?!!
"The High Court has ruled that defamation on internet bulletin boards is akin to slander rather than libel.

Mr Justice Eady hearing a case regarding posts on an investors bulletin board (or forum) has said that such comments are not to be taken in the same context as a formal newspaper (etc) article and are more like slander due to the casual or conversational nature of them.

Mr Justice Eady stated that posts on bulletin boards "are rather like contributions to a casual conversation (the analogy sometimes being drawn with people chatting in a bar) which people simply note before moving on; they are often uninhibited, casual and ill thought out...Those who participate know this and expect a certain amount of repartee or 'give and take'."

As such "When considered in the context of defamation law, therefore, communications of this kind are much more akin to slanders (this cause of action being nowadays relatively rare) than to the usual, more permanent kind of communications found in libel actions...People do not often take a 'thread' and go through it as a whole like a newspaper article. They tend to read the remarks, make their own contributions if they feel inclined, and think no more about it." "
http://www.urban75.o
rg/info/libel.html

Razor Sharp says...
3:59pm Mon 18 Mar 13

Why are we even discussing defamation law when some taxi drivers don't even want to spend a few hundred pounds fitting CCTV cameras?

Can you imagine them instructing a QC via their solicitor for an opinion? That is if the poster doesn't post an apology or retraction first.

There are rights and then there is the law. Hardly equal access.

Any other reasons for WBC funding CCTV cameras for taxi drivers?

P Doherty says...
11:20pm Mon 18 Mar 13

I have been sitting back reading these comments and am hacked off at the I am tougher than you attitude!

You Watford cabbies would sh*t yourselves if confronted!

You are pathetic!

Traveller Tom McD says...
11:24pm Mon 18 Mar 13

This post just goes on and on. In between poor attempts at testes fuelled shout outs and proposed showdowns which will never happen, we also have race and religion bought into the equation....nothing to do with the main issue so leave that side of things out of it you bigots!
we are still discussing cctv security for cabbies. Buy cctv's, buy screens, don't work at night or pick up drunks ...make your choice cabbies but please stay off Watford Observer pages if you arent prepared to help yourselves out. The public has sympathy for the absolutely unacceptable attacks but do not wish to pay for someone elses problem.
What would happen if a cabbie attacked a drunken passenger? would passengers lobby the council for screens and cctv for fear of attacks from cabbies and would we be happy to pay for it. Just a teaser for you.

P Doherty says...
11:28pm Mon 18 Mar 13

They call our lot pikeys but the real pikeys are these cabbies!

Razor Sharp says...
1:10am Tue 19 Mar 13

Perhaps the HMRC can sponsor CCTV cameras and then use them to reconcile cash receipts against declared earnings / tax returns. In these circumstances I would fully support sponsorship of CCTV cameras.

garston tony says...
11:18am Tue 19 Mar 13

P Doherty wrote:
They call our lot pikeys but the real pikeys are these cabbies!
Shut up you simple idiot

garston tony says...
11:21am Tue 19 Mar 13

Razor Sharp wrote:
Perhaps the HMRC can sponsor CCTV cameras and then use them to reconcile cash receipts against declared earnings / tax returns. In these circumstances I would fully support sponsorship of CCTV cameras.
I think if that was the proposal some taxi drivers would be starting a campaign against them! Good idea though.

Would the antagonists like to update us on the outcome of the tete at tete erm 'discussion' that was due to take place on this matter at some gym last night?

MrBlackCab says...
11:37am Tue 19 Mar 13

Just to give you all an update; I parked my cab in shapers car park so anyone looking for me knew I was there. I worked out from 7pm to 8pm, hanged about till 8:30pm as just as I expected no show for haswat and johnny English. This is all I have to say and what my thoughts were about watford cabbies like haswat and johnny English the internet warriors are still the same. So go buy your CCTV and put a dummy in your mouths, thank you.

Ferryinn says...
12:16pm Tue 19 Mar 13

MrBlackCab wrote:
Just to give you all an update; I parked my cab in shapers car park so anyone looking for me knew I was there. I worked out from 7pm to 8pm, hanged about till 8:30pm as just as I expected no show for haswat and johnny English. This is all I have to say and what my thoughts were about watford cabbies like haswat and johnny English the internet warriors are still the same. So go buy your CCTV and put a dummy in your mouths, thank you.
Sorry old sport, not sure anybody cares.

garston tony says...
12:44pm Tue 19 Mar 13

Ferryinn wrote:
MrBlackCab wrote: Just to give you all an update; I parked my cab in shapers car park so anyone looking for me knew I was there. I worked out from 7pm to 8pm, hanged about till 8:30pm as just as I expected no show for haswat and johnny English. This is all I have to say and what my thoughts were about watford cabbies like haswat and johnny English the internet warriors are still the same. So go buy your CCTV and put a dummy in your mouths, thank you.
Sorry old sport, not sure anybody cares.
Sorry, I did ask but only in jest.

If you seriously went there ferryinn as you said with the intention of meeting up with whoever then thats rather sad

sallywatford says...
2:24pm Tue 19 Mar 13

garston tony wrote:
Sally, your comment does nothing to explain why (some) taxi drivers feel that cctv and screens in taxi's should be paid for by the tax payer.

If you want to open a pub or club in Watford you have to meet a number of requirements which will include those relating to health and safety or employees and customers. The cost of keeping to those requirements is bourne by the business, not the government/local authority which sets the requirements. If said pub or club feels the need to go above and beyond what is specified in regulations then that is a cost that they also have to cover.In other words the council does not pay for cctv or door staff for clubs and pubs in Watford.

In addition they pay rates etc which covers amongst other things the cost to the local authority of managing the night time economy they are part of ie street cleaning.

If you want to be a taxi driver you and your vehicle at your own expense have to meet the requirements set down by the government and the local authority. If as a taxi driver you feel that additional secutiry is needed then that too should be met at your own expense, it’s a business related cost.

The police are there for the good of all be they the clubs and pubs, the revellers or indeed the taxi drivers themselves
Garston Tory, the council, police and other services are paid for from council tax. CCTV exhists in the high street, paid for by the council. THe police out during the evenings in the highstreet, paid for my me and you, the clean up after the late night rampage, paid for by me and you, the trip to the A&E of the drunken yob who has druck too much is paid for by you and me etc etc. So we as tax payers are supporting this 'night time economy'. Question is WHY? We need to use the same logic as you have espoused? Lets withdraw all the funding from these areas as see what happens?

What these companies pay to the council is peanuts compared to the cost incurred.

Taxis drivers pay counil tax, and other taxes too again, lets use your logic then?

I'm afraid, this whole discussion has revealed a lot of prejudices and is slanting the debate.

sallywatford says...
2:30pm Tue 19 Mar 13

Razor Sharp wrote:
sallywatford wrote:
In addition, if I was one of the trolls here, I would be very worried. There is some libel going on in the above posts directed towards Mr Khan, and he may well be able to fund his CCTV from it?!!
"The High Court has ruled that defamation on internet bulletin boards is akin to slander rather than libel.

Mr Justice Eady hearing a case regarding posts on an investors bulletin board (or forum) has said that such comments are not to be taken in the same context as a formal newspaper (etc) article and are more like slander due to the casual or conversational nature of them.

Mr Justice Eady stated that posts on bulletin boards "are rather like contributions to a casual conversation (the analogy sometimes being drawn with people chatting in a bar) which people simply note before moving on; they are often uninhibited, casual and ill thought out...Those who participate know this and expect a certain amount of repartee or 'give and take'."

As such "When considered in the context of defamation law, therefore, communications of this kind are much more akin to slanders (this cause of action being nowadays relatively rare) than to the usual, more permanent kind of communications found in libel actions...People do not often take a 'thread' and go through it as a whole like a newspaper article. They tend to read the remarks, make their own contributions if they feel inclined, and think no more about it." "
http://www.urban75.o

rg/info/libel.html
Thank you - Slander is also something which can be taken to court for.
http://www.hse.gov.u
k/enforce/enforcemen
tguide/court/reporti
ng-defamation.htm

Ferryinn says...
2:30pm Tue 19 Mar 13

garston tony wrote:
Ferryinn wrote:
MrBlackCab wrote: Just to give you all an update; I parked my cab in shapers car park so anyone looking for me knew I was there. I worked out from 7pm to 8pm, hanged about till 8:30pm as just as I expected no show for haswat and johnny English. This is all I have to say and what my thoughts were about watford cabbies like haswat and johnny English the internet warriors are still the same. So go buy your CCTV and put a dummy in your mouths, thank you.
Sorry old sport, not sure anybody cares.
Sorry, I did ask but only in jest.

If you seriously went there ferryinn as you said with the intention of meeting up with whoever then thats rather sad
No Tony I did not.

I was merely commenting on him providing an update to a largely apathetic audience.

Razor Sharp says...
4:51pm Tue 19 Mar 13

sallywatford wrote:
Razor Sharp wrote:
sallywatford wrote:
In addition, if I was one of the trolls here, I would be very worried. There is some libel going on in the above posts directed towards Mr Khan, and he may well be able to fund his CCTV from it?!!
"The High Court has ruled that defamation on internet bulletin boards is akin to slander rather than libel.

Mr Justice Eady hearing a case regarding posts on an investors bulletin board (or forum) has said that such comments are not to be taken in the same context as a formal newspaper (etc) article and are more like slander due to the casual or conversational nature of them.

Mr Justice Eady stated that posts on bulletin boards "are rather like contributions to a casual conversation (the analogy sometimes being drawn with people chatting in a bar) which people simply note before moving on; they are often uninhibited, casual and ill thought out...Those who participate know this and expect a certain amount of repartee or 'give and take'."

As such "When considered in the context of defamation law, therefore, communications of this kind are much more akin to slanders (this cause of action being nowadays relatively rare) than to the usual, more permanent kind of communications found in libel actions...People do not often take a 'thread' and go through it as a whole like a newspaper article. They tend to read the remarks, make their own contributions if they feel inclined, and think no more about it." "
http://www.urban75.o


rg/info/libel.html
Thank you - Slander is also something which can be taken to court for.
http://www.hse.gov.u

k/enforce/enforcemen

tguide/court/reporti

ng-defamation.htm
Your understanding of defamation law is too simplistic.

Razor Sharp says...
4:51pm Tue 19 Mar 13

sallywatford wrote:
Razor Sharp wrote:
sallywatford wrote:
In addition, if I was one of the trolls here, I would be very worried. There is some libel going on in the above posts directed towards Mr Khan, and he may well be able to fund his CCTV from it?!!
"The High Court has ruled that defamation on internet bulletin boards is akin to slander rather than libel.

Mr Justice Eady hearing a case regarding posts on an investors bulletin board (or forum) has said that such comments are not to be taken in the same context as a formal newspaper (etc) article and are more like slander due to the casual or conversational nature of them.

Mr Justice Eady stated that posts on bulletin boards "are rather like contributions to a casual conversation (the analogy sometimes being drawn with people chatting in a bar) which people simply note before moving on; they are often uninhibited, casual and ill thought out...Those who participate know this and expect a certain amount of repartee or 'give and take'."

As such "When considered in the context of defamation law, therefore, communications of this kind are much more akin to slanders (this cause of action being nowadays relatively rare) than to the usual, more permanent kind of communications found in libel actions...People do not often take a 'thread' and go through it as a whole like a newspaper article. They tend to read the remarks, make their own contributions if they feel inclined, and think no more about it." "
http://www.urban75.o


rg/info/libel.html
Thank you - Slander is also something which can be taken to court for.
http://www.hse.gov.u

k/enforce/enforcemen

tguide/court/reporti

ng-defamation.htm
Your understanding of defamation law is too simplistic.

johnny_english1 says...
4:54pm Tue 19 Mar 13

MrBlackCab wrote:
Just to give you all an update; I parked my cab in shapers car park so anyone looking for me knew I was there. I worked out from 7pm to 8pm, hanged about till 8:30pm as just as I expected no show for haswat and johnny English. This is all I have to say and what my thoughts were about watford cabbies like haswat and johnny English the internet warriors are still the same. So go buy your CCTV and put a dummy in your mouths, thank you.
Mr blackcab I walked it so I didn't see a black cab I couldn't locate you, don't worry il be there again same time Monday, I thought the showdown was with haswat you two agreed it , u asked me to come so I did but who was I looking for? Oh yes Santa clause with his manual on CCTV lol

Seat belts on says...
12:08pm Thu 21 Mar 13

@ Mr black cab, johnny English and Haswat 26.

GROW UP! This is a public forum, don't peddle your hate here.

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree