'Soft Target' attacks continue as 14 year old boy arrested on suspicion of robbing taxi driver

A 14 year old has been arrested by police in Blackburn on suspicion of robbery against a taxi driver at the weekend.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons has been questioned and released under investigation pending further enquiries.

A police spokesperson said: “This has been one of a number of offences against taxi drivers recently. This unacceptable behaviour will not be tolerated and robust action will be taken against offenders.”

The arrest comes during a period of multiple attacks and alleged attacks on taxi drivers around the UK, sparking a number of licensing teams, taxi organisations and local policing teams to join forces in an attempt to protect drivers from such incidents.

Taxi drivers, who work alone and are vulnerable to such attacks, can be considered 'Soft Targets' by petty criminals, and in some cases the outcome can have devastating long lasting effects on its victims.

Reports of attacks on taxi drivers up and down the country range from non-violent robbery to knifepoint attacks.

On many occasions the perpetrators of such terrifying incidents are the passengers of the taxi.

Manchester Evening News recently reported on a dad who robbed a taxi driver at knife point for just £20 with a pal half his age after they ran out of cocaine during a drugs binge. Craig Hatch, 40, who nicknames himself 'The Horrible Hatch' on social media, left his victim fearing for his life following the ordeal in Oldham last year.

At Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, Hatch was jailed for five years and three months after he admitted robbery and having a bladed article.

Leon Setterfield, 22, of Oldham was jailed for 12 years and ten months after he admitted the robbery plus an unrelated offence of wounding with intent following a knife attack against a fellow prison inmate.

Image credit: Dynamo Taxi