Taxis Under Seige

Carrying 'Weapons' Not the Answer

August 2010

Given the ever-increasing wave of violence against taxi drivers, it would be understandable if cabbies turn to ways of defending themselves if the need arises.  However, cab drivers do need to think carefully about the possible legal consequences of carrying anything that might be seen as a 'weapon'.

Paul Rhodes, a private hire driver from Warrington, who installed pepper spray on his dashboard and carried a wrench for his own safety, lost his job following a police stop check.

John Barnes, defending the 34-year-old, said: “There are numerous incidents that do occur with drunken customers and taxi drivers.  This is a man of good character, who has never been in trouble before.”

District Judge Bridget Knight, who said “It is not America, we don’t have a constitutional right to carry weapons”, sentenced Rhodes to a 150-hour community sentence and ordered him to pay £85 prosecution costs.

Phil Barnes, licensing officer at Warrington Borough Council, commented: “While the council recognises the possible dangers to cab drivers, we don’t condone the carrying of weapons under any circumstances.”

Phil continued: “We have plans to have discussions with the trade to see what can be done with regards driver safety but carrying weapons is certainly not the answer.”

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