Sheffield taxi attacks: Police draw up action plan as taxi drivers warn of 'no go' areas
Police have outlined plans to deal with a spate of attacks on vehicles which have seen parts of Sheffield becoming ‘no go’ areas for taxi drivers.
It was revealed this week that there has been a surge in attacks on taxis and drivers in the city, with Sheffield city councillor Mark Rusling calling for an end to the violence after meeting with cabbies this week.
Drivers have described attacks with missiles on Shiregreen Lane over the Christmas period, and they recently reported being attacked in Birley, City Road, Woodthorpe Road and around the railway station.
Drivers report attacks on many evenings during the week, increasing on Friday and Saturday nights.
Hafeas Rehman, chairman of the Sheffield Taxi Trade Association, warned that if the violence continues, it was only a matter of time before somebody gets seriously hurt.
Now, police say they have put together a plan for one of the worst blackspots, and say they have already taken action against a boy aged just 15 in connection with the issue.
The inspector in charge of South Yorkshire Police’s Sheffield North East neighbourhood policing team, Insp Alec Gibbons, said there had been many complaints of rocks being hurled at vehicles on Shiregreen Lane, Shiregreem, last month,
He told The Star: "In December 2025 we received multiple reports of criminal damage to vehicles on Shiregreen Lane. These incidents reportedly consisted of youths throwing stones and rocks at passing vehicles.
"A patrol plan is in place to help act as a deterrent to those involved in anti-social behaviour and criminality."
But the picture seemed to have improved since New Year.
He added: “We have not received any reports of taxis on Shiregreen Lane being damaged in January 2026.”
He also confirmed action had been taken against a youth over the issue.
“On 11 January, a 15-year-old boy was referred to our youth offending team for admitting the offence of damage to a motor vehicle from August 2025," he said.
Coun Rusling said: “I was absolutely shocked to hear of the dangers that taxi drivers are facing just for doing their job. It is an utter disgrace.
“Drivers are a vital part of our city’s community and have the right to go about their work without fear of being attacked with stones and bricks.”