Cab driver struck off for abusing passengers (From This is Hampshire)

A taxi driver abusing his fare - never!

That level of threat " you die tonight" would be a shock to anyone, yet alone pensioners, and further that they are visually impaired - what a low life he must be.

Were the police involved at all????

Scum and dumb not to know he was on camera

within 6 months this guy will be driving a cab again. It's time for SCC to get tough on illegal drivers and minicabs picking up unbooked fares.

Condor Man wrote:
within 6 months this guy will be driving a cab again. It's time for SCC to get tough on illegal drivers and minicabs picking up unbooked fares.

6 months, 6 days more like!
Different name, cousins documents, change the seat covers and off he goes. Simples!
sw: City-wave, yeah middle finger no doubt!

Big Mac wrote:

Condor Man wrote: within 6 months this guy will be driving a cab again. It's time for SCC to get tough on illegal drivers and minicabs picking up unbooked fares.

6 months, 6 days more like! Different name, cousins documents, change the seat covers and off he goes. Simples! sw: City-wave, yeah middle finger no doubt!

Be interesting to know how many of the private hire drivers are using their foreign licences having not yet taken a UK theory and practical test. Anybody know how long you are allowed to drive on a foreign licence before you have to take a UK test ? Seems like every time I call a cab the driver is fresh off the plane, cannot speak English and needs me to tell him how to get to my destination. How many of them are driving legally and what are the insurance implications ?

Absolutley shocking to say the least. In the high emotions the good, innocent and long time citizens of Southampton who are from the sub continent and those like myself who are born here in Southampton will suffer. I am a taxi driver myself and this sort of publicity only makes it harder for us asians who are genuine Southampton citizens who know the city, have gone to school here and have worked the city over the years. It is unfourtunate that the public will be unable or unwilling to diffrentiate between what are the long time citizens of Southampton and the very large number of asylum seekers who have entered the taxi and private hire trade and have brought racial animosity into it not only amongst drivers but with the paying public. Bearing in mind that all the bad things associated with taxi drivers does not fall into any ethnic group ie asian black or white but this case highlights the problem brewing over the last few years of the surge of asylum seekers into the trade which is exactly what they are.

A number of questions need to be asked of the council and its licensing department such as how can you do a CRB on people from OUTSIDE the EU and when you do HOW do you know if the information is accuratte. Southampton City Council licensing has some serious questions to answer, as they should have had legislation put in place that anyone who has entered the UK must have a checkable history from the date of entry of at least 10 if not 15 years - 5? 5 years? Sorry NOT enough! There are a number of these new drivers who good honest people who strive to integrate and move with the flow and are mainly Hackney Carriage drivers though there are a few exceptions BUT the real rogues are in the Pre Booked sector who are of Afghan origin from the Shamali plains of the north and the Hazara area who are RUDE, IGNORANT AND ARROGANT who do not have any respect for even their fellow Afghans of the south. Go down Bedford Place on Friday and Saturday nights and you will see them parked up in their private hires picking up illegally which is also the public's fault for getting in aswell. This kind of practice was very scarce until these ASYLUM SEEKERS arrived. The IRONEY is the that licensing enforcement officers KNOW that this is going on and IGNORE it so the COUNCIL LICENSING is to blame for MOST of the problems in the Taxi and Private hire trade in the city. Last word do not be duped by the camera part. the driver was sacked straight away by the company concerned and the camera played no part as claimed. The cameras are a money spinner a lucrative contract on an unprecedented scale! The responsibilty lies with the licensing department AND councillors should speak up and should not be detered by political correctness.

Very interesting insight British Asian; it's good to get a balanced reaction from a genuine taxi driver who must see first hand the impact this has both on responsible operators and sensible punters.

British asian wrote:
Absolutley shocking to say the least. In the high emotions the good, innocent and long time citizens of Southampton who are from the sub continent and those like myself who are born here in Southampton will suffer. I am a taxi driver myself and this sort of publicity only makes it harder for us asians who are genuine Southampton citizens who know the city, have gone to school here and have worked the city over the years. It is unfourtunate that the public will be unable or unwilling to diffrentiate between what are the long time citizens of Southampton and the very large number of asylum seekers who have entered the taxi and private hire trade and have brought racial animosity into it not only amongst drivers but with the paying public. Bearing in mind that all the bad things associated with taxi drivers does not fall into any ethnic group ie asian black or white but this case highlights the problem brewing over the last few years of the surge of asylum seekers into the trade which is exactly what they are.

A number of questions need to be asked of the council and its licensing department such as how can you do a CRB on people from OUTSIDE the EU and when you do HOW do you know if the information is accuratte. Southampton City Council licensing has some serious questions to answer, as they should have had legislation put in place that anyone who has entered the UK must have a checkable history from the date of entry of at least 10 if not 15 years - 5? 5 years? Sorry NOT enough! There are a number of these new drivers who good honest people who strive to integrate and move with the flow and are mainly Hackney Carriage drivers though there are a few exceptions BUT the real rogues are in the Pre Booked sector who are of Afghan origin from the Shamali plains of the north and the Hazara area who are RUDE, IGNORANT AND ARROGANT who do not have any respect for even their fellow Afghans of the south. Go down Bedford Place on Friday and Saturday nights and you will see them parked up in their private hires picking up illegally which is also the public's fault for getting in aswell. This kind of practice was very scarce until these ASYLUM SEEKERS arrived. The IRONEY is the that licensing enforcement officers KNOW that this is going on and IGNORE it so the COUNCIL LICENSING is to blame for MOST of the problems in the Taxi and Private hire trade in the city. Last word do not be duped by the camera part. the driver was sacked straight away by the company concerned and the camera played no part as claimed. The cameras are a money spinner a lucrative contract on an unprecedented scale! The responsibilty lies with the licensing department AND councillors should speak up and should not be detered by political correctness.

Just because you are Asian, that doesn't give you immunity from racism!... you do raise some genuinely valid points and then go and name a specific ethnic group, from a specific area.... if you have proof of these illegal fares, you need to report it to the Council and Police, not resort to unsubstantiated racial abuse on the pages of the Echo towards a particular sector of a country's citizens...

British Asian you raise some good points but If these are illlegally picking up fairs why arnt you ,and others who are acting legally, taking their number plates and dobbing them in. Not only in the public interest but in your interests as your losing money to these scum.

freemantlegirl2 wrote:

British asian wrote: Absolutley shocking to say the least. In the high emotions the good, innocent and long time citizens of Southampton who are from the sub continent and those like myself who are born here in Southampton will suffer. I am a taxi driver myself and this sort of publicity only makes it harder for us asians who are genuine Southampton citizens who know the city, have gone to school here and have worked the city over the years. It is unfourtunate that the public will be unable or unwilling to diffrentiate between what are the long time citizens of Southampton and the very large number of asylum seekers who have entered the taxi and private hire trade and have brought racial animosity into it not only amongst drivers but with the paying public. Bearing in mind that all the bad things associated with taxi drivers does not fall into any ethnic group ie asian black or white but this case highlights the problem brewing over the last few years of the surge of asylum seekers into the trade which is exactly what they are. A number of questions need to be asked of the council and its licensing department such as how can you do a CRB on people from OUTSIDE the EU and when you do HOW do you know if the information is accuratte. Southampton City Council licensing has some serious questions to answer, as they should have had legislation put in place that anyone who has entered the UK must have a checkable history from the date of entry of at least 10 if not 15 years - 5? 5 years? Sorry NOT enough! There are a number of these new drivers who good honest people who strive to integrate and move with the flow and are mainly Hackney Carriage drivers though there are a few exceptions BUT the real rogues are in the Pre Booked sector who are of Afghan origin from the Shamali plains of the north and the Hazara area who are RUDE, IGNORANT AND ARROGANT who do not have any respect for even their fellow Afghans of the south. Go down Bedford Place on Friday and Saturday nights and you will see them parked up in their private hires picking up illegally which is also the public's fault for getting in aswell. This kind of practice was very scarce until these ASYLUM SEEKERS arrived. The IRONEY is the that licensing enforcement officers KNOW that this is going on and IGNORE it so the COUNCIL LICENSING is to blame for MOST of the problems in the Taxi and Private hire trade in the city. Last word do not be duped by the camera part. the driver was sacked straight away by the company concerned and the camera played no part as claimed. The cameras are a money spinner a lucrative contract on an unprecedented scale! The responsibilty lies with the licensing department AND councillors should speak up and should not be detered by political correctness.

Just because you are Asian, that doesn't give you immunity from racism!... you do raise some genuinely valid points and then go and name a specific ethnic group, from a specific area.... if you have proof of these illegal fares, you need to report it to the Council and Police, not resort to unsubstantiated racial abuse on the pages of the Echo towards a particular sector of a country's citizens...

freemantlegirl2 - no racist comment on here. British Asian refers to a specific nationality, no mention of race. Get off your PC high horse and be thankful you're in a country that will allow you to be educated and have a right to freedom of speech.

Freemantlegirl2 The truth is the truth and cannot be changed to accommodate political correctness.

Stand outside the White House in Above Bar any weekend night and observe also in Bedford Place and take note of the private hire DRIVER and then tell me if I am wrong. There are a number of enforcement officers whose remit it is to make sure P.Hs do not "whippy". As for us drivers to take numbers of the white plate and report it, the licensing dept gets the information and then your guess is as good as mine. I would like to see proper enforcement not token appearances by them now and again like in 2007 when the licensing team came out into London Road and tried force hackney carriages to rank up in Bellvue Road and to NOT pick up Flag Downs which is what a Hackney Carriage is all About. May be you can take the numbers and report them.

British asian wrote:
Freemantlegirl2 The truth is the truth and cannot be changed to accommodate political correctness.

Stand outside the White House in Above Bar any weekend night and observe also in Bedford Place and take note of the private hire DRIVER and then tell me if I am wrong. There are a number of enforcement officers whose remit it is to make sure P.Hs do not "whippy". As for us drivers to take numbers of the white plate and report it, the licensing dept gets the information and then your guess is as good as mine. I would like to see proper enforcement not token appearances by them now and again like in 2007 when the licensing team came out into London Road and tried force hackney carriages to rank up in Bellvue Road and to NOT pick up Flag Downs which is what a Hackney Carriage is all About. May be you can take the numbers and report them.

If you read my post, I am not disputing that these exist... what I'm saying is that you do NOT have a right to resort to racism (very different from PC) and name a particular ethnic group' who you 'think' may be perpetrating these issues. do you ask them for copies of their passports?? how do you know just by 'looking' at someone that they are from that part of Afghanistan? it's just ridiculous to claim someone's ethnic origin by looking at them through a cab window!. As for standing outside the White House, which is a total DIVE, I've got better things to do and better places to go! I also ALWAYS check any cab before i get into it and every person should, especially if they are female. The Council does take this very seriously, and so do the Police.... as I said report it to them and stop blaming a whole sector of people who as a whole are not responsible for all the illegal goings on with cabs!

Carpe Diem wrote:

freemantlegirl2 wrote:

British asian wrote: Absolutley shocking to say the least. In the high emotions the good, innocent and long time citizens of Southampton who are from the sub continent and those like myself who are born here in Southampton will suffer. I am a taxi driver myself and this sort of publicity only makes it harder for us asians who are genuine Southampton citizens who know the city, have gone to school here and have worked the city over the years. It is unfourtunate that the public will be unable or unwilling to diffrentiate between what are the long time citizens of Southampton and the very large number of asylum seekers who have entered the taxi and private hire trade and have brought racial animosity into it not only amongst drivers but with the paying public. Bearing in mind that all the bad things associated with taxi drivers does not fall into any ethnic group ie asian black or white but this case highlights the problem brewing over the last few years of the surge of asylum seekers into the trade which is exactly what they are. A number of questions need to be asked of the council and its licensing department such as how can you do a CRB on people from OUTSIDE the EU and when you do HOW do you know if the information is accuratte. Southampton City Council licensing has some serious questions to answer, as they should have had legislation put in place that anyone who has entered the UK must have a checkable history from the date of entry of at least 10 if not 15 years - 5? 5 years? Sorry NOT enough! There are a number of these new drivers who good honest people who strive to integrate and move with the flow and are mainly Hackney Carriage drivers though there are a few exceptions BUT the real rogues are in the Pre Booked sector who are of Afghan origin from the Shamali plains of the north and the Hazara area who are RUDE, IGNORANT AND ARROGANT who do not have any respect for even their fellow Afghans of the south. Go down Bedford Place on Friday and Saturday nights and you will see them parked up in their private hires picking up illegally which is also the public's fault for getting in aswell. This kind of practice was very scarce until these ASYLUM SEEKERS arrived. The IRONEY is the that licensing enforcement officers KNOW that this is going on and IGNORE it so the COUNCIL LICENSING is to blame for MOST of the problems in the Taxi and Private hire trade in the city. Last word do not be duped by the camera part. the driver was sacked straight away by the company concerned and the camera played no part as claimed. The cameras are a money spinner a lucrative contract on an unprecedented scale! The responsibilty lies with the licensing department AND councillors should speak up and should not be detered by political correctness.

Just because you are Asian, that doesn't give you immunity from racism!... you do raise some genuinely valid points and then go and name a specific ethnic group, from a specific area.... if you have proof of these illegal fares, you need to report it to the Council and Police, not resort to unsubstantiated racial abuse on the pages of the Echo towards a particular sector of a country's citizens...

freemantlegirl2 - no racist comment on here. British Asian refers to a specific nationality, no mention of race. Get off your PC high horse and be thankful you're in a country that will allow you to be educated and have a right to freedom of speech.

Carpe Diem, if you read my posts fullly you will see that I was NOT referring to this guy's user name (he can call himself what he likes i don't have a problem with that)... it's this assumption....
"are in the Pre Booked sector who are of Afghan origin from the Shamali plains of the north and the Hazara area who are RUDE, IGNORANT AND ARROGANT who do not have any respect for even their fellow Afghans of the south."

One cannot claim that a whole section of people from a certain area are this and that.... that is racism... pure and simple and unsubstantiated... he has no proof that these are the sole perpetrators and are all cab driving, illegal morons! FFS!

freemantlegirl2 wrote:

British asian wrote: Freemantlegirl2 The truth is the truth and cannot be changed to accommodate political correctness. Stand outside the White House in Above Bar any weekend night and observe also in Bedford Place and take note of the private hire DRIVER and then tell me if I am wrong. There are a number of enforcement officers whose remit it is to make sure P.Hs do not "whippy". As for us drivers to take numbers of the white plate and report it, the licensing dept gets the information and then your guess is as good as mine. I would like to see proper enforcement not token appearances by them now and again like in 2007 when the licensing team came out into London Road and tried force hackney carriages to rank up in Bellvue Road and to NOT pick up Flag Downs which is what a Hackney Carriage is all About. May be you can take the numbers and report them.

If you read my post, I am not disputing that these exist... what I'm saying is that you do NOT have a right to resort to racism (very different from PC) and name a particular ethnic group' who you 'think' may be perpetrating these issues. do you ask them for copies of their passports?? how do you know just by 'looking' at someone that they are from that part of Afghanistan? it's just ridiculous to claim someone's ethnic origin by looking at them through a cab window!. As for standing outside the White House, which is a total DIVE, I've got better things to do and better places to go! I also ALWAYS check any cab before i get into it and every person should, especially if they are female. The Council does take this very seriously, and so do the Police.... as I said report it to them and stop blaming a whole sector of people who as a whole are not responsible for all the illegal goings on with cabs!

freemantlegirl2 - once again you invoke the racist card when nowhere does British Asian make any comment about ethnicity - he stated that these people were from a certain part of a certain country - where is the racist element in that ? Stop getting offended on other peoples behalf.

Carpe Diem wrote:

freemantlegirl2 wrote:

British asian wrote: Freemantlegirl2 The truth is the truth and cannot be changed to accommodate political correctness. Stand outside the White House in Above Bar any weekend night and observe also in Bedford Place and take note of the private hire DRIVER and then tell me if I am wrong. There are a number of enforcement officers whose remit it is to make sure P.Hs do not "whippy". As for us drivers to take numbers of the white plate and report it, the licensing dept gets the information and then your guess is as good as mine. I would like to see proper enforcement not token appearances by them now and again like in 2007 when the licensing team came out into London Road and tried force hackney carriages to rank up in Bellvue Road and to NOT pick up Flag Downs which is what a Hackney Carriage is all About. May be you can take the numbers and report them.

If you read my post, I am not disputing that these exist... what I'm saying is that you do NOT have a right to resort to racism (very different from PC) and name a particular ethnic group' who you 'think' may be perpetrating these issues. do you ask them for copies of their passports?? how do you know just by 'looking' at someone that they are from that part of Afghanistan? it's just ridiculous to claim someone's ethnic origin by looking at them through a cab window!. As for standing outside the White House, which is a total DIVE, I've got better things to do and better places to go! I also ALWAYS check any cab before i get into it and every person should, especially if they are female. The Council does take this very seriously, and so do the Police.... as I said report it to them and stop blaming a whole sector of people who as a whole are not responsible for all the illegal goings on with cabs!

freemantlegirl2 - once again you invoke the racist card when nowhere does British Asian make any comment about ethnicity - he stated that these people were from a certain part of a certain country - where is the racist element in that ? Stop getting offended on other peoples behalf.

I'm not offended, if he said for example that EVERYONE from Scotland is RUDE ARROGANT and whatever then that would be racist, that is a certain section of the British Isles.... I rest my case..... I'm not offended just pointing out the stupidity of claiming unsubstantiated points in what were some otherwise excellent and valid comments! if he can prove that all these people are from that region of A, only and they are ALL rude, arrogant (and I shall refrain from making rude generalisations about taxi/cab drivers in general) then I will take it all back quite gladly :D

freemantlegirl2 wrote:

Carpe Diem wrote:

freemantlegirl2 wrote:

British asian wrote: Freemantlegirl2 The truth is the truth and cannot be changed to accommodate political correctness. Stand outside the White House in Above Bar any weekend night and observe also in Bedford Place and take note of the private hire DRIVER and then tell me if I am wrong. There are a number of enforcement officers whose remit it is to make sure P.Hs do not "whippy". As for us drivers to take numbers of the white plate and report it, the licensing dept gets the information and then your guess is as good as mine. I would like to see proper enforcement not token appearances by them now and again like in 2007 when the licensing team came out into London Road and tried force hackney carriages to rank up in Bellvue Road and to NOT pick up Flag Downs which is what a Hackney Carriage is all About. May be you can take the numbers and report them.

If you read my post, I am not disputing that these exist... what I'm saying is that you do NOT have a right to resort to racism (very different from PC) and name a particular ethnic group' who you 'think' may be perpetrating these issues. do you ask them for copies of their passports?? how do you know just by 'looking' at someone that they are from that part of Afghanistan? it's just ridiculous to claim someone's ethnic origin by looking at them through a cab window!. As for standing outside the White House, which is a total DIVE, I've got better things to do and better places to go! I also ALWAYS check any cab before i get into it and every person should, especially if they are female. The Council does take this very seriously, and so do the Police.... as I said report it to them and stop blaming a whole sector of people who as a whole are not responsible for all the illegal goings on with cabs!

freemantlegirl2 - once again you invoke the racist card when nowhere does British Asian make any comment about ethnicity - he stated that these people were from a certain part of a certain country - where is the racist element in that ? Stop getting offended on other peoples behalf.

I'm not offended, if he said for example that EVERYONE from Scotland is RUDE ARROGANT and whatever then that would be racist, that is a certain section of the British Isles.... I rest my case..... I'm not offended just pointing out the stupidity of claiming unsubstantiated points in what were some otherwise excellent and valid comments! if he can prove that all these people are from that region of A, only and they are ALL rude, arrogant (and I shall refrain from making rude generalisations about taxi/cab drivers in general) then I will take it all back quite gladly :D

If you said that everyone from Scotland was rude and arrogant that would not be racist it would be a generalisation. There is no such thing as the Scottish race. The same would be true if you said all Australians or all Americans are rude and arrogant. That's the point I'm making, too many people shout racism at the first sign of any debate in which people of different nationalities are concerned.

Carpe Diem wrote:

freemantlegirl2 wrote:

Carpe Diem wrote:

freemantlegirl2 wrote:

British asian wrote: Freemantlegirl2 The truth is the truth and cannot be changed to accommodate political correctness. Stand outside the White House in Above Bar any weekend night and observe also in Bedford Place and take note of the private hire DRIVER and then tell me if I am wrong. There are a number of enforcement officers whose remit it is to make sure P.Hs do not "whippy". As for us drivers to take numbers of the white plate and report it, the licensing dept gets the information and then your guess is as good as mine. I would like to see proper enforcement not token appearances by them now and again like in 2007 when the licensing team came out into London Road and tried force hackney carriages to rank up in Bellvue Road and to NOT pick up Flag Downs which is what a Hackney Carriage is all About. May be you can take the numbers and report them.

If you read my post, I am not disputing that these exist... what I'm saying is that you do NOT have a right to resort to racism (very different from PC) and name a particular ethnic group' who you 'think' may be perpetrating these issues. do you ask them for copies of their passports?? how do you know just by 'looking' at someone that they are from that part of Afghanistan? it's just ridiculous to claim someone's ethnic origin by looking at them through a cab window!. As for standing outside the White House, which is a total DIVE, I've got better things to do and better places to go! I also ALWAYS check any cab before i get into it and every person should, especially if they are female. The Council does take this very seriously, and so do the Police.... as I said report it to them and stop blaming a whole sector of people who as a whole are not responsible for all the illegal goings on with cabs!

freemantlegirl2 - once again you invoke the racist card when nowhere does British Asian make any comment about ethnicity - he stated that these people were from a certain part of a certain country - where is the racist element in that ? Stop getting offended on other peoples behalf.

I'm not offended, if he said for example that EVERYONE from Scotland is RUDE ARROGANT and whatever then that would be racist, that is a certain section of the British Isles.... I rest my case..... I'm not offended just pointing out the stupidity of claiming unsubstantiated points in what were some otherwise excellent and valid comments! if he can prove that all these people are from that region of A, only and they are ALL rude, arrogant (and I shall refrain from making rude generalisations about taxi/cab drivers in general) then I will take it all back quite gladly :D

If you said that everyone from Scotland was rude and arrogant that would not be racist it would be a generalisation. There is no such thing as the Scottish race. The same would be true if you said all Australians or all Americans are rude and arrogant. That's the point I'm making, too many people shout racism at the first sign of any debate in which people of different nationalities are concerned.

sorry that doesn't wash with me, he's inferring that a certain sector of a society are rude and ignorant... I say racist, you say generalisation... personally I think it smacks of racism... you won't ever win me over with that one

Sounds like time for a tea break.
Think I'll opt for black in a nice white china cup with a Scottish shortbread on the side.
(Hopefully that doesn't upset anyone?)

freemantlegirl2 wrote:

Carpe Diem wrote:

freemantlegirl2 wrote:

British asian wrote: Freemantlegirl2 The truth is the truth and cannot be changed to accommodate political correctness. Stand outside the White House in Above Bar any weekend night and observe also in Bedford Place and take note of the private hire DRIVER and then tell me if I am wrong. There are a number of enforcement officers whose remit it is to make sure P.Hs do not "whippy". As for us drivers to take numbers of the white plate and report it, the licensing dept gets the information and then your guess is as good as mine. I would like to see proper enforcement not token appearances by them now and again like in 2007 when the licensing team came out into London Road and tried force hackney carriages to rank up in Bellvue Road and to NOT pick up Flag Downs which is what a Hackney Carriage is all About. May be you can take the numbers and report them.

If you read my post, I am not disputing that these exist... what I'm saying is that you do NOT have a right to resort to racism (very different from PC) and name a particular ethnic group' who you 'think' may be perpetrating these issues. do you ask them for copies of their passports?? how do you know just by 'looking' at someone that they are from that part of Afghanistan? it's just ridiculous to claim someone's ethnic origin by looking at them through a cab window!. As for standing outside the White House, which is a total DIVE, I've got better things to do and better places to go! I also ALWAYS check any cab before i get into it and every person should, especially if they are female. The Council does take this very seriously, and so do the Police.... as I said report it to them and stop blaming a whole sector of people who as a whole are not responsible for all the illegal goings on with cabs!

freemantlegirl2 - once again you invoke the racist card when nowhere does British Asian make any comment about ethnicity - he stated that these people were from a certain part of a certain country - where is the racist element in that ? Stop getting offended on other peoples behalf.

I'm not offended, if he said for example that EVERYONE from Scotland is RUDE ARROGANT and whatever then that would be racist, that is a certain section of the British Isles.... I rest my case..... I'm not offended just pointing out the stupidity of claiming unsubstantiated points in what were some otherwise excellent and valid comments! if he can prove that all these people are from that region of A, only and they are ALL rude, arrogant (and I shall refrain from making rude generalisations about taxi/cab drivers in general) then I will take it all back quite gladly :D

Yes you can get a good idea of where one is from by their appearance especially if you had the blessing of my calibre of being worldwise. How about this I can tell the differance between an African and Carribean person, how about that, I can tell an Arab from an Iranian simply by the accent of their english just like telling an Eastern European from a white English person or an American or South African. Oh by the way you also forget the fact that I work in the same field but as a Hackney Carriage driver. You must write to Crimewatch and tell them not to mention the ethinicity of the kind of person(s) the police are looking for "as it is racist" !!! I think you need to travel a little may be a safari in Kenya, beach holiday in the Carribean followed by a liitle mountainering in the Himalayas then finishing off with a stay over in Dubai which has a cocktail of differant peoples. When you arrive at Heathrow I will take you to Southall West London and you should then be able to tell me whose whose if get yt right I will give a BTEC pass!!!

freemantlegirl2 wrote:

Carpe Diem wrote:

freemantlegirl2 wrote:

Carpe Diem wrote:

freemantlegirl2 wrote:

British asian wrote: Freemantlegirl2 The truth is the truth and cannot be changed to accommodate political correctness. Stand outside the White House in Above Bar any weekend night and observe also in Bedford Place and take note of the private hire DRIVER and then tell me if I am wrong. There are a number of enforcement officers whose remit it is to make sure P.Hs do not "whippy". As for us drivers to take numbers of the white plate and report it, the licensing dept gets the information and then your guess is as good as mine. I would like to see proper enforcement not token appearances by them now and again like in 2007 when the licensing team came out into London Road and tried force hackney carriages to rank up in Bellvue Road and to NOT pick up Flag Downs which is what a Hackney Carriage is all About. May be you can take the numbers and report them.

If you read my post, I am not disputing that these exist... what I'm saying is that you do NOT have a right to resort to racism (very different from PC) and name a particular ethnic group' who you 'think' may be perpetrating these issues. do you ask them for copies of their passports?? how do you know just by 'looking' at someone that they are from that part of Afghanistan? it's just ridiculous to claim someone's ethnic origin by looking at them through a cab window!. As for standing outside the White House, which is a total DIVE, I've got better things to do and better places to go! I also ALWAYS check any cab before i get into it and every person should, especially if they are female. The Council does take this very seriously, and so do the Police.... as I said report it to them and stop blaming a whole sector of people who as a whole are not responsible for all the illegal goings on with cabs!

freemantlegirl2 - once again you invoke the racist card when nowhere does British Asian make any comment about ethnicity - he stated that these people were from a certain part of a certain country - where is the racist element in that ? Stop getting offended on other peoples behalf.

I'm not offended, if he said for example that EVERYONE from Scotland is RUDE ARROGANT and whatever then that would be racist, that is a certain section of the British Isles.... I rest my case..... I'm not offended just pointing out the stupidity of claiming unsubstantiated points in what were some otherwise excellent and valid comments! if he can prove that all these people are from that region of A, only and they are ALL rude, arrogant (and I shall refrain from making rude generalisations about taxi/cab drivers in general) then I will take it all back quite gladly :D

If you said that everyone from Scotland was rude and arrogant that would not be racist it would be a generalisation. There is no such thing as the Scottish race. The same would be true if you said all Australians or all Americans are rude and arrogant. That's the point I'm making, too many people shout racism at the first sign of any debate in which people of different nationalities are concerned.

sorry that doesn't wash with me, he's inferring that a certain sector of a society are rude and ignorant... I say racist, you say generalisation... personally I think it smacks of racism... you won't ever win me over with that one

You're inferring racism where there is none. Saying people are rude and arrogant is not racist. I could say all South Africans are rude and arrogant, is that racist - if so against whom.

Carpe Diem wrote:

freemantlegirl2 wrote:

Carpe Diem wrote:

freemantlegirl2 wrote:

Carpe Diem wrote:

freemantlegirl2 wrote:

British asian wrote: Freemantlegirl2 The truth is the truth and cannot be changed to accommodate political correctness. Stand outside the White House in Above Bar any weekend night and observe also in Bedford Place and take note of the private hire DRIVER and then tell me if I am wrong. There are a number of enforcement officers whose remit it is to make sure P.Hs do not "whippy". As for us drivers to take numbers of the white plate and report it, the licensing dept gets the information and then your guess is as good as mine. I would like to see proper enforcement not token appearances by them now and again like in 2007 when the licensing team came out into London Road and tried force hackney carriages to rank up in Bellvue Road and to NOT pick up Flag Downs which is what a Hackney Carriage is all About. May be you can take the numbers and report them.

If you read my post, I am not disputing that these exist... what I'm saying is that you do NOT have a right to resort to racism (very different from PC) and name a particular ethnic group' who you 'think' may be perpetrating these issues. do you ask them for copies of their passports?? how do you know just by 'looking' at someone that they are from that part of Afghanistan? it's just ridiculous to claim someone's ethnic origin by looking at them through a cab window!. As for standing outside the White House, which is a total DIVE, I've got better things to do and better places to go! I also ALWAYS check any cab before i get into it and every person should, especially if they are female. The Council does take this very seriously, and so do the Police.... as I said report it to them and stop blaming a whole sector of people who as a whole are not responsible for all the illegal goings on with cabs!

freemantlegirl2 - once again you invoke the racist card when nowhere does British Asian make any comment about ethnicity - he stated that these people were from a certain part of a certain country - where is the racist element in that ? Stop getting offended on other peoples behalf.

I'm not offended, if he said for example that EVERYONE from Scotland is RUDE ARROGANT and whatever then that would be racist, that is a certain section of the British Isles.... I rest my case..... I'm not offended just pointing out the stupidity of claiming unsubstantiated points in what were some otherwise excellent and valid comments! if he can prove that all these people are from that region of A, only and they are ALL rude, arrogant (and I shall refrain from making rude generalisations about taxi/cab drivers in general) then I will take it all back quite gladly :D

If you said that everyone from Scotland was rude and arrogant that would not be racist it would be a generalisation. There is no such thing as the Scottish race. The same would be true if you said all Australians or all Americans are rude and arrogant. That's the point I'm making, too many people shout racism at the first sign of any debate in which people of different nationalities are concerned.

sorry that doesn't wash with me, he's inferring that a certain sector of a society are rude and ignorant... I say racist, you say generalisation... personally I think it smacks of racism... you won't ever win me over with that one

You're inferring racism where there is none. Saying people are rude and arrogant is not racist. I could say all South Africans are rude and arrogant, is that racist - if so against whom.

That would be racist, even though there are people of different 'ethnic origin' you are singling out a country and it's people, or a county, province whatever - it's racism because he isn't from Afghanistan and therefore is making comments based on his own prejudice. A complicated point but as I say you won't change my mind on this one... I think PC goes too far but it was a terrible example to use and did no-one, least of all him, any favours whatsoever....my last say on the matter because all these 'quotes' are taking over the whole column!

freemantlegirl2 wrote:

Carpe Diem wrote:

freemantlegirl2 wrote:

Carpe Diem wrote:

freemantlegirl2 wrote:

Carpe Diem wrote:

freemantlegirl2 wrote:

British asian wrote: Freemantlegirl2 The truth is the truth and cannot be changed to accommodate political correctness. Stand outside the White House in Above Bar any weekend night and observe also in Bedford Place and take note of the private hire DRIVER and then tell me if I am wrong. There are a number of enforcement officers whose remit it is to make sure P.Hs do not "whippy". As for us drivers to take numbers of the white plate and report it, the licensing dept gets the information and then your guess is as good as mine. I would like to see proper enforcement not token appearances by them now and again like in 2007 when the licensing team came out into London Road and tried force hackney carriages to rank up in Bellvue Road and to NOT pick up Flag Downs which is what a Hackney Carriage is all About. May be you can take the numbers and report them.

If you read my post, I am not disputing that these exist... what I'm saying is that you do NOT have a right to resort to racism (very different from PC) and name a particular ethnic group' who you 'think' may be perpetrating these issues. do you ask them for copies of their passports?? how do you know just by 'looking' at someone that they are from that part of Afghanistan? it's just ridiculous to claim someone's ethnic origin by looking at them through a cab window!. As for standing outside the White House, which is a total DIVE, I've got better things to do and better places to go! I also ALWAYS check any cab before i get into it and every person should, especially if they are female. The Council does take this very seriously, and so do the Police.... as I said report it to them and stop blaming a whole sector of people who as a whole are not responsible for all the illegal goings on with cabs!

freemantlegirl2 - once again you invoke the racist card when nowhere does British Asian make any comment about ethnicity - he stated that these people were from a certain part of a certain country - where is the racist element in that ? Stop getting offended on other peoples behalf.

I'm not offended, if he said for example that EVERYONE from Scotland is RUDE ARROGANT and whatever then that would be racist, that is a certain section of the British Isles.... I rest my case..... I'm not offended just pointing out the stupidity of claiming unsubstantiated points in what were some otherwise excellent and valid comments! if he can prove that all these people are from that region of A, only and they are ALL rude, arrogant (and I shall refrain from making rude generalisations about taxi/cab drivers in general) then I will take it all back quite gladly :D

If you said that everyone from Scotland was rude and arrogant that would not be racist it would be a generalisation. There is no such thing as the Scottish race. The same would be true if you said all Australians or all Americans are rude and arrogant. That's the point I'm making, too many people shout racism at the first sign of any debate in which people of different nationalities are concerned.

sorry that doesn't wash with me, he's inferring that a certain sector of a society are rude and ignorant... I say racist, you say generalisation... personally I think it smacks of racism... you won't ever win me over with that one

You're inferring racism where there is none. Saying people are rude and arrogant is not racist. I could say all South Africans are rude and arrogant, is that racist - if so against whom.

That would be racist, even though there are people of different 'ethnic origin' you are singling out a country and it's people, or a county, province whatever - it's racism because he isn't from Afghanistan and therefore is making comments based on his own prejudice. A complicated point but as I say you won't change my mind on this one... I think PC goes too far but it was a terrible example to use and did no-one, least of all him, any favours whatsoever....my last say on the matter because all these 'quotes' are taking over the whole column!

Your last say because you cannot counter my last point without changing your definition of racism.

Say no more.

It seems yet again the the facts of the story have been turned into another tiresome race/p.c war.
Why doesn't everyone get back to the facts of this dispicable story and demand that Southampton City Council takes the safety of its citizen seriously. The general public know the problems, the council know the problems now it just needs someone who is prepared to do something about it.

Just to bring things back to the article, how did he get a licence in the first place? Oh sorry I forgot that up until 2 months ago, you didn't even have to talk English to get a licence. Get a bit of paper from your local police station (no bribes-honest) get it translated; swap your EU driving licence for a UK one; pay for your medical; ask your mates what the answers are to the Top test. Hey Presto you now have our permission to abuse Southampton's residents, endanger other road users and ply for hire illegally. The damage has all ready been done Councillors you should have listened 3 years ago, your indifference has caused this problem. I couldn't possibly say "told you so" could I?

Have they pulled the story from the main page?
Something to do with mentioning the racism word eh fm2?




sw- able-shut

I have a neighbour who is a taxi driver. He is a totally obnoxious person. Once, he threatened to damage my car and also abused other neighbours, telling them where they should park their own cars. i wonder what he gets upto in his own taxi.

Do they have these camera's in the cabs in Eastleigh as my friend got abused by a 50 something man after a night out with friends. Unfortunately, due to the level of alchol consumption, she was too drunk to even think to take down the drivers number to report him.
Fortunately, the nature of abuse was just verbal in comparrison to what could have been. I just worry that the next person to get in his taxi may not be so lucky next time.

Carpe Diem wrote:

freemantlegirl2 wrote:

Carpe Diem wrote:

freemantlegirl2 wrote:

Carpe Diem wrote:

freemantlegirl2 wrote:

Carpe Diem wrote:

freemantlegirl2 wrote:

British asian wrote: Freemantlegirl2 The truth is the truth and cannot be changed to accommodate political correctness. Stand outside the White House in Above Bar any weekend night and observe also in Bedford Place and take note of the private hire DRIVER and then tell me if I am wrong. There are a number of enforcement officers whose remit it is to make sure P.Hs do not "whippy". As for us drivers to take numbers of the white plate and report it, the licensing dept gets the information and then your guess is as good as mine. I would like to see proper enforcement not token appearances by them now and again like in 2007 when the licensing team came out into London Road and tried force hackney carriages to rank up in Bellvue Road and to NOT pick up Flag Downs which is what a Hackney Carriage is all About. May be you can take the numbers and report them.

If you read my post, I am not disputing that these exist... what I'm saying is that you do NOT have a right to resort to racism (very different from PC) and name a particular ethnic group' who you 'think' may be perpetrating these issues. do you ask them for copies of their passports?? how do you know just by 'looking' at someone that they are from that part of Afghanistan? it's just ridiculous to claim someone's ethnic origin by looking at them through a cab window!. As for standing outside the White House, which is a total DIVE, I've got better things to do and better places to go! I also ALWAYS check any cab before i get into it and every person should, especially if they are female. The Council does take this very seriously, and so do the Police.... as I said report it to them and stop blaming a whole sector of people who as a whole are not responsible for all the illegal goings on with cabs!

freemantlegirl2 - once again you invoke the racist card when nowhere does British Asian make any comment about ethnicity - he stated that these people were from a certain part of a certain country - where is the racist element in that ? Stop getting offended on other peoples behalf.

I'm not offended, if he said for example that EVERYONE from Scotland is RUDE ARROGANT and whatever then that would be racist, that is a certain section of the British Isles.... I rest my case..... I'm not offended just pointing out the stupidity of claiming unsubstantiated points in what were some otherwise excellent and valid comments! if he can prove that all these people are from that region of A, only and they are ALL rude, arrogant (and I shall refrain from making rude generalisations about taxi/cab drivers in general) then I will take it all back quite gladly :D

If you said that everyone from Scotland was rude and arrogant that would not be racist it would be a generalisation. There is no such thing as the Scottish race. The same would be true if you said all Australians or all Americans are rude and arrogant. That's the point I'm making, too many people shout racism at the first sign of any debate in which people of different nationalities are concerned.

sorry that doesn't wash with me, he's inferring that a certain sector of a society are rude and ignorant... I say racist, you say generalisation... personally I think it smacks of racism... you won't ever win me over with that one

You're inferring racism where there is none. Saying people are rude and arrogant is not racist. I could say all South Africans are rude and arrogant, is that racist - if so against whom.

That would be racist, even though there are people of different 'ethnic origin' you are singling out a country and it's people, or a county, province whatever - it's racism because he isn't from Afghanistan and therefore is making comments based on his own prejudice. A complicated point but as I say you won't change my mind on this one... I think PC goes too far but it was a terrible example to use and did no-one, least of all him, any favours whatsoever....my last say on the matter because all these 'quotes' are taking over the whole column!

Your last say because you cannot counter my last point without changing your definition of racism.

Say no more.

Game, Set and Match to you

;-)

.

It's this kind of story that makes me avoid taxi's on a night out and take the nightbus instead. Telling passengers that they are going to die could easily be classed as an assault (apprehension of immediate violence), so hopefully he'll be done for that as well. Why can't we deport this man?... He clearly has a total lack of respect for this country and it's citizens.

Carpe Diem wrote:

Big Mac wrote:

Condor Man wrote: within 6 months this guy will be driving a cab again. It's time for SCC to get tough on illegal drivers and minicabs picking up unbooked fares.

6 months, 6 days more like! Different name, cousins documents, change the seat covers and off he goes. Simples! sw: City-wave, yeah middle finger no doubt!

Be interesting to know how many of the private hire drivers are using their foreign licences having not yet taken a UK theory and practical test. Anybody know how long you are allowed to drive on a foreign licence before you have to take a UK test ? Seems like every time I call a cab the driver is fresh off the plane, cannot speak English and needs me to tell him how to get to my destination. How many of them are driving legally and what are the insurance implications ?

The answer is 12 months and then a UK Licence has to be applied for. I dont think its the case that taxi plates are given to drivers holding foreign only licences but of course I would welcome a rebuttal of that thought by someone who knew the regulations.

Many thanks.

soton1980 wrote:
It's this kind of story that makes me avoid taxi's on a night out and take the nightbus instead. Telling passengers that they are going to die could easily be classed as an assault (apprehension of immediate violence), so hopefully he'll be done for that as well. Why can't we deport this man?... He clearly has a total lack of respect for this country and it's citizens.

I think making threats to kill is possibly the legal term you were looking for.

But there again that would depend on whether you believe the ridiculous spiel these ninnies come out with.

Its easy to be hard with frail or disabled people; I doubt whether the idiot involved in this fiasco would have been so clever with another male.

Why are the police not prosecuting this person for threatening behaviour ? Unbeliavable and whilst there at it deport the scumbag.

UTS wrote:
Why are the police not prosecuting this person for threatening behaviour ? Unbeliavable and whilst there at it deport the scumbag.

Is there an indication that he was an illegal immigrant then? I dont recall reading that in the piece.

The three persons involved did not make statements to the police, I understand, so not being mind readers, possibly its hardly surprising that they did not prosecute. Contrary to popular belief, theres not a policeman around every corner waiting to prosecute rogue taxi drivers. If you feel strongly about this and want to do something about it, might I suggest that you contact Hampshire Constabulary, although I think they might inform you that your interest in the case is somewhat second-hand.

Hope that helps.

I feel I shud say my part here. i have worked for a taxi firm for a while (not the one concerned) and some drivers regardless of race or nationality r a law onto themselves. i cud not tell you the amount of complaints pre nite we take due to drivers not knowing were they are going, going the long way, putting there metres on b4 they pick up, rudeness, not getting out of there car to find there customers etc...it is unfortunate that the complaints have got worse over the past two or so years, since the "influx" of drivers. I am trying not to discriminate here or use racism but the majority of customers mention the race or nationlty of drivers when they fone to complain. the council do no wot it soing on but chose to ignore it, how many drivers drive illegally, brothers, uncles, 4th cousin 5 times removed cars etc? as brit asian says how can some drivers be crb checked? and they are allowed to deal with customers who are at risk, old people, kids, disabled etc. it is disgusting and is giving the companys in soton a bad name. however i have no idea what can be done about it but i do wonder what has to happen before something is. s

British Asian, Spot on, just the sort of bloke that has mixed and just got on with it. Well done.

Personally i wouldn't get into a taxi that was driven by a foreigner that especially couldn't speak English at all or very well. Sorry if it offends anyone but i wouldn't trust them in anyway what so ever. Not that i use taxi's often at all, but i would use and book one that i'm familar with. I keep a phone number of a nice family run taxi service incase i ever am in the need to use one. This is my personal preference.

Donald2000 wrote:

UTS wrote: Why are the police not prosecuting this person for threatening behaviour ? Unbeliavable and whilst there at it deport the scumbag.

Is there an indication that he was an illegal immigrant then? I dont recall reading that in the piece. The three persons involved did not make statements to the police, I understand, so not being mind readers, possibly its hardly surprising that they did not prosecute. Contrary to popular belief, theres not a policeman around every corner waiting to prosecute rogue taxi drivers. If you feel strongly about this and want to do something about it, might I suggest that you contact Hampshire Constabulary, although I think they might inform you that your interest in the case is somewhat second-hand. Hope that helps.

Yeah he is illegal immigrant (they all are after passing several countrys to get here)

The police should be prosecuting on the video evidence alone.

the comments this free-mentle girl makes,have me hoping i am still alive when the muslims and their laws are in charge,and she tells us she runs a support group and is a single parent,no surprise there then,keep spouting your pc drivel it really makes my day,i feel sorry for you.

typical foreigner

THE WHITE"man" HERE IN BRITAINSTAN SHOULD BE WEARING A WOMANS DRESS. OUR WHITE WOMEN TREATED LIKE THIS AND IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE IN THE FUTURE...AND YOU KNOW WHAT?

YOU DESERVE IT. AFTER THE "RIVERS OF BLOOD" SPEECH I WAS SPAT UPON BY THE VERY PEOPLE I WAS TRYING TO SAVE.

GOOD FOR THE MUSLIMS. ITS ALL OVER FOR YOU NOW. WELCOME TO THE DAY OF ISLAM. THE DEATH OF THE WEST IS UPON YOU LITTLE COWARDS ON BRITAISTAN AND DEMOCRACY IS THE ROPE YOU SHALL HANG YOURSELVES WITH.

WE HAVE GONE FROM RICHARD THE LIONHEART TO RICHARD SIMMONS.

I CANNOT WAIT UNTIL THESE SAVAGES FINALLY HAVE THE WHIPHAND OVER YOU FOR GOOD AND ONCE THE PICK UP THE WHIP THEY SHOULD NEVER LET IT DROP.

to the person reading this who refuses to post it just remember the fear in these poor wite women and I can't wait until it happens to you and your mother and when it does remember this moment when you decided not to post it. Remember that there may have been ONE white man left in this Godforsaken stinkpot called a country who may have reacted to my words and attempted to do something about it but YOU kept it from happening. REMEMBER.

EnochPowell wrote:
THE WHITE"man" HERE IN BRITAINSTAN SHOULD BE WEARING A WOMANS DRESS. OUR WHITE WOMEN TREATED LIKE THIS AND IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE IN THE FUTURE...AND YOU KNOW WHAT?

YOU DESERVE IT. AFTER THE "RIVERS OF BLOOD" SPEECH I WAS SPAT UPON BY THE VERY PEOPLE I WAS TRYING TO SAVE.

GOOD FOR THE MUSLIMS. ITS ALL OVER FOR YOU NOW. WELCOME TO THE DAY OF ISLAM. THE DEATH OF THE WEST IS UPON YOU LITTLE COWARDS ON BRITAISTAN AND DEMOCRACY IS THE ROPE YOU SHALL HANG YOURSELVES WITH.

WE HAVE GONE FROM RICHARD THE LIONHEART TO RICHARD SIMMONS.

I CANNOT WAIT UNTIL THESE SAVAGES FINALLY HAVE THE WHIPHAND OVER YOU FOR GOOD AND ONCE THE PICK UP THE WHIP THEY SHOULD NEVER LET IT DROP.

to the person reading this who refuses to post it just remember the fear in these poor wite women and I can't wait until it happens to you and your mother and when it does remember this moment when you decided not to post it. Remember that there may have been ONE white man left in this Godforsaken stinkpot called a country who may have reacted to my words and attempted to do something about it but YOU kept it from happening. REMEMBER.

OK. I give up, what in the world is this drivel about ?

If my memory serves me right wasn't this story about a taxi driver being abusive to three elderly ladies? How did the story stray into racism, freemantlegirl2 what a shame your comments strayed completley away from the subject.

freemantlegirl2 wrote:

British asian wrote: Absolutley shocking to say the least. In the high emotions the good, innocent and long time citizens of Southampton who are from the sub continent and those like myself who are born here in Southampton will suffer. I am a taxi driver myself and this sort of publicity only makes it harder for us asians who are genuine Southampton citizens who know the city, have gone to school here and have worked the city over the years. It is unfourtunate that the public will be unable or unwilling to diffrentiate between what are the long time citizens of Southampton and the very large number of asylum seekers who have entered the taxi and private hire trade and have brought racial animosity into it not only amongst drivers but with the paying public. Bearing in mind that all the bad things associated with taxi drivers does not fall into any ethnic group ie asian black or white but this case highlights the problem brewing over the last few years of the surge of asylum seekers into the trade which is exactly what they are. A number of questions need to be asked of the council and its licensing department such as how can you do a CRB on people from OUTSIDE the EU and when you do HOW do you know if the information is accuratte. Southampton City Council licensing has some serious questions to answer, as they should have had legislation put in place that anyone who has entered the UK must have a checkable history from the date of entry of at least 10 if not 15 years - 5? 5 years? Sorry NOT enough! There are a number of these new drivers who good honest people who strive to integrate and move with the flow and are mainly Hackney Carriage drivers though there are a few exceptions BUT the real rogues are in the Pre Booked sector who are of Afghan origin from the Shamali plains of the north and the Hazara area who are RUDE, IGNORANT AND ARROGANT who do not have any respect for even their fellow Afghans of the south. Go down Bedford Place on Friday and Saturday nights and you will see them parked up in their private hires picking up illegally which is also the public's fault for getting in aswell. This kind of practice was very scarce until these ASYLUM SEEKERS arrived. The IRONEY is the that licensing enforcement officers KNOW that this is going on and IGNORE it so the COUNCIL LICENSING is to blame for MOST of the problems in the Taxi and Private hire trade in the city. Last word do not be duped by the camera part. the driver was sacked straight away by the company concerned and the camera played no part as claimed. The cameras are a money spinner a lucrative contract on an unprecedented scale! The responsibilty lies with the licensing department AND councillors should speak up and should not be detered by political correctness.

Just because you are Asian, that doesn't give you immunity from racism!... you do raise some genuinely valid points and then go and name a specific ethnic group, from a specific area.... if you have proof of these illegal fares, you need to report it to the Council and Police, not resort to unsubstantiated racial abuse on the pages of the Echo towards a particular sector of a country's citizens...

freemantlegirl2; what was the point in you even ranting on for ages and ages, arguing about your points above?! People like you put posts on this website just to come out smelling of roses, and to be seen as being 'right' about everything! If you really read British Asian's comment properly, and from the angle he intended it, you will see that he was trying to point out to customers who use taxis, that not all foreign-looking indviduals are illegal immigrants and not to tar him with the same brush just because of the colour of his skin. You missed this entirely and assumed that he was being racist by presenting some information, of which he clearly knows more about than you and i. He is in the taxi trade and obviously knows what he's on about. You can infer racism from that, or you can open your eyes and see that his comments are actually a refreshing insight from someone who isnt afraid to tell it like it is. This country has been completely destroyed, not even by the influx of illegals and other immigrants, but by Brits like YOU who cannot let any opinions slide, and who have to be so PC about everything. Its so pathetic. I hope you see, from all the backlash on here about your comments (which you probably wanted coz you seem like the kind of person who needs constant attention to feel alive), that they were complete bulls*it! I suppose you were hoping people would jump on your bandwagon and also accuse British Asian of racism?! That backfired didnt it! Seriously, it is great to see someone like British Asian, sahring an insider point of view and making some interesting comments. That's what makes for a 'good read' on these forums; not some little 'know it all', on her high horse, ranting about anything and everything just to try and be heard.

How exactly can you tell taxis apart, this information would be useful so myself and others would know who to avoid in future.Should we use hackney carraiges?Im confused now after a few drinks Id be hopeless!!! I hope this scumbag of a guy does get some sort of prosecution, I have been threatened before at work and resulted in the perp 6 mnths away.

British asian wrote:
Absolutley shocking to say the least. In the high emotions the good, innocent and long time citizens of Southampton who are from the sub continent and those like myself who are born here in Southampton will suffer. I am a taxi driver myself and this sort of publicity only makes it harder for us asians who are genuine Southampton citizens who know the city, have gone to school here and have worked the city over the years. It is unfourtunate that the public will be unable or unwilling to diffrentiate between what are the long time citizens of Southampton and the very large number of asylum seekers who have entered the taxi and private hire trade and have brought racial animosity into it not only amongst drivers but with the paying public. Bearing in mind that all the bad things associated with taxi drivers does not fall into any ethnic group ie asian black or white but this case highlights the problem brewing over the last few years of the surge of asylum seekers into the trade which is exactly what they are.

A number of questions need to be asked of the council and its licensing department such as how can you do a CRB on people from OUTSIDE the EU and when you do HOW do you know if the information is accuratte. Southampton City Council licensing has some serious questions to answer, as they should have had legislation put in place that anyone who has entered the UK must have a checkable history from the date of entry of at least 10 if not 15 years - 5? 5 years? Sorry NOT enough! There are a number of these new drivers who good honest people who strive to integrate and move with the flow and are mainly Hackney Carriage drivers though there are a few exceptions BUT the real rogues are in the Pre Booked sector who are of Afghan origin from the Shamali plains of the north and the Hazara area who are RUDE, IGNORANT AND ARROGANT who do not have any respect for even their fellow Afghans of the south. Go down Bedford Place on Friday and Saturday nights and you will see them parked up in their private hires picking up illegally which is also the public's fault for getting in aswell. This kind of practice was very scarce until these ASYLUM SEEKERS arrived. The IRONEY is the that licensing enforcement officers KNOW that this is going on and IGNORE it so the COUNCIL LICENSING is to blame for MOST of the problems in the Taxi and Private hire trade in the city. Last word do not be duped by the camera part. the driver was sacked straight away by the company concerned and the camera played no part as claimed. The cameras are a money spinner a lucrative contract on an unprecedented scale! The responsibilty lies with the licensing department AND councillors should speak up and should not be detered by political correctness.

I do agree to your comment where you have mentioned about the legislation and check ups that are indeed needed to be in place. However, I think it's very rude, arrogant and unthoughtfull of you to point at an ethnic group and start judging. This not at all true as I am in the taxi business and it's not that just because you have studied here or lived here long enough would make you an angle my friend! Who knows. . . you could be the next most wanted man!? The fundamental point here is that there is always people like that in every society whether it being Afghan, Somalian, Indian, Pakistani or English and people like Elyas should not even be allowed to on the streets. Therefore, Mr British Asian I think you, perhaps, have another issue rather than being worried about your reputation, as you have quoted "go to Bedford place and you will see them parked there". Perhaps they have taken your jobs when you were late or in some cases picked up a customer that you might not be prepared to do so, as a resault you were penalized by your manager! The so called asylum seekers do the jobs that you hate, they pay taxes the same way as you do! What you don't realize is that you are actually degrading yourself. . . If at a friday or satuarday night someone gets in your car and says no you are Asian you are this or that regardless of your petty explainations of your origion you will still be an Asian to me or anyone else, therefore, suddenly you are the arrogant, rude or ignorant. I say this because you might park there sometimes or even at a different rank, once people get drunk they tend to forget who their friends are and we are just a taxi driver. Yes I do agree it is not fair on other ordinary citizens as most of them work hard to earn a living here as I do, but to go around pointing at different ethnicity groups and start spreading words that are not true is totally wrong morally and legally!