Sheffield taxi company owner shares fears attacks are fuelled by 'racism'
“The kids have got a lot braver, and they are more likely to target drivers in a racist attack”
A Sheffield taxi company director has shared his fears that drivers are being increasingly targeted in racist attacks.
Mohammed Awais Alyas, director of Sheff Fleet Ltd, which leases taxis to drivers, said attacks on vehicles have “always been an issue” but claims there has been a recent rise in racism towards drivers in Sheffield and he fears attacks are linked.
He said: “The kids have got a lot braver, and they are more likely to target drivers in a racist attack.
“They know that most drivers are not white, their motive is racism.
“It has been a problem for the last two years, but in recent months it has become more and more common.”
Mr Alyas said some drivers have even removed the Sheffield City Council logo from their vehicles hoping to prevent attacks, because people can identify them as taxis from a distance, making them a target.
He said the move had reduced some attacks but added: “We shouldn’t have to take these measures.”
The company director also shared concerns for passengers who could also be injured during an attack.
“If a customer gets injured, who is responsible?” he said.
Mr Alyas, who is also a taxi driver himself, said he now avoids taking jobs in some postcode areas because of concerns over safety.
A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said the force has not seen a recent increase in reports hate crime offences against taxi drivers.
Of 346 hate crime investigations recorded in Sheffield between July 1 and yesterday, 1.45 per cent involved a victim who was a taxi driver.
“Taxi drivers can be vulnerable to hate crime as they interact with members of the public constantly, and often work within the night-time economy,” the spokesperson added.
“Officers have attended community engagement events and mosque visits, and have advised victims that do not want to report while they are on shift that they can report online or via 101 once they have finished working.
“We would always encourage victims of all crime types to make a report as soon as possible so that we can fully investigate and take appropriate action.”
Mr Alyas spoke out after taxi driver Mohammad Shafiq reported an incident to the police involving his vehicle at an Iceland supermarket car park on Barnsley Road.
Mr Shafiq, who previously told The Star that taxi drivers were being hit by stones and suffering damage to their vehicles, said he reported the incident to police after he was allegedly approached by a group of youths at around 7pm on July 29.
Mr Shafiq said he had returned to his car after shopping when a group of four or five youths, including two people on bicycles, approached his vehicle.
He said one girl began shouting at him before another person opened the rear door of his car while he was still inside.
He said he decided not to get out of the vehicle and instead drove away, with objects then allegedly thrown at his car as he left.
A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “An investigation into this incident is ongoing and officers are carrying out CCTV enquiries to identify the suspects.”
Drivers said they had suffered smashed windows, dents and damage, with some claiming attacks were happening almost daily in certain areas.
South Yorkshire Police said at the time the force had received reports of youths throwing items at vehicles on Wordsworth Avenue, Sheffield, as well as reports of youths attempting to stop vehicles at traffic lights so objects could be thrown at them.
The force said officers had carried out CCTV checks and enquiries but suspects had not been identified.
A patrol plan was put in place to deter further incidents in Parson Cross, with officers continuing to investigate reports of youths targeting vehicles, the force said.
Anyone with information should call South Yorkshire Police on 101.