Violence against taxi drivers continues as Kent cabbie beaten and robbed by passengers

Kent Police are appealing for witnesses following a robbery in Margate.

It was reported that at around 8.30pm on Thursday 17 March, a taxi stopped in Wilderness Hill where the driver was assaulted by two men who had been passengers. After the victim left the vehicle to seek help, it was reported that cash was then stolen from the car.

The first offender is described as white, in his 30s, and bald. He wore a dark blue top and navy jogging bottoms.

The second offender is also described as white and in his 30s. He wore glasses, bright coloured shorts and a white T-shirt.

The force want to hear from people who saw anything, or who have dashcam or private CCTV footage taken in the Wilderness Hill area at the time of the incident.

Witnesses should call Kent Police on 01843 222289 quoting 46/50047/22.

You can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or complete the online form available at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Violence against taxi drivers is becoming more common and widely reported around the UK, raising concerns from industry reps who have called on government and regulators to do more to protect drivers against violent crimes.

Steve Garelick GMB Regional Organiser, recently proposed a 'No-ride list‘ to be implemented to help drivers and operators to keep track of known offenders.

Private hire drivers have also been vocal over what they believe is a lack of safety precautions put in place from ride-hailing apps.

Protests from drivers were sparked after a PHV driver, working on the Bolt app, was stabbed to death by one of his passengers.

Just last week, two teenagers were found guilty of killing Gabriel Bringye after using the Bolt app to lure him to a location in a planned robbery which turned violent resulting in Gabriel being fatally stabbed.