NSW:Cabbies urged to report attacks to police

AAP General News (Australia)
04-11-2011
NSW:Cabbies urged to report attacks to police

SYDNEY, April 11 AAP - Sydney taxi drivers are being urged to report assaults on them
to police, despite the time it takes them off the road.

Footage of a taxi driver being bashed by two passengers at Kings Cross on Saturday
night has prompted the call.

Acting Inspector David Gates said police only found out about this filmed assault on
Monday, because of media coverage.

"This fellow hadn't reported the matter and wasn't going to until he was spoken to
this morning," Insp Gates told reporters.

"It's frustrating but we can understand why they don't come forward.

"There's no incentive for them to report on the night because it takes time for us
to investigate the matter thoroughly, take statements and that's time that they are not
on the road earning money."

Despite this, Insp Gates urged assaulted cabbies to come forward.

"Any taxi driver that's assaulted or had any problem in a taxi needs to report the
matter to police," he said.

Insp Gates said police were investigating Saturday's assault.

The extent of the taxi driver's injuries were unknown, he said.

The attack did not indicate that attacks on taxi drivers were becoming more prevalent,
Insp Gates said.

AAP ih/wjf/pc

KEYWORD: TAXI

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