Taxi driver attacked by passenger

4:30pm Monday 13th October 2008

A Bradford councillor today told of his fears that someone will be killed if attacks on taxi and minicab drivers continue.

Councillor Mohammed Shafiq made his comments after a cab driver was viciously assaulted by a male passenger at the weekend.

Sajid Saddique, 40, of Barkerend, who works for Eccleshill Private Hire, was punched repeatedly in the face as he drove three men along Cavendish Road, Idle, at about 3.30am on Saturday.

He said: “I was called to an address at High Royds flats and picked up three men who wanted to go to Howarth Avenue. Because it was late I asked them for the fare up front but they refused and became verbally abusive.

“I continued to drive them but then when I got to Cavendish Road the front passenger started punching me. He hit me five or six times in the face. The two backseat passengers jumped out and ran but he just kept punching me.”

Mr Saddique suffered serious bruising to his face and damage to several teeth.

Coun Shafiq (Lab, Bradford Moor) said: “Mr Saddique was all alone, anything could have happened. This is a family man with three young children and he does not know whether he can go back to work.

“I have been told that the police only arrived more than four hours after the incident. The drivers feel that their concerns are not being taken seriously and they are being fobbed off.

“If strong action is not taken something catastrophic will happen. We have seen it in Keighley and Kirklees where lives have been lost. Sadly I feel it is only a matter of time until someone is seriously harmed or killed here.”

Wajid Jahangir, owner of Eccleshill Private Hire, said: “I phoned the police at 3.25am and no-one came until 7.45am. I phoned three times. If they had arrived earlier they may have been able to catch these people. For it to take four hours is unacceptable. I am still waiting to give my statement two days later.”

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “We take assaults extremely seriously but the first priority is for the welfare of the individual to ensure they receive hospital treatment.

“Officers attended to speak with the man as soon as was possible following his treatment. The call operator explained this procedure to his employer.

“The Neighbourhood Police Team are fully aware of the matter and will carry out house-to-house inquires seeking further information relating to the incident.

“The matter is now being investigated and if anyone has further information they should contact the specialised officers within the Volume Crime Team at Airedale House at 0845 6060606.”

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