A MINICAB driver has told of his terrifying ordeal at the hands of thugs. Wajid Shaheen, a driver for Premier Cars, Halifax, was sprayed in the face with CS gas as he drove four youths to Ovenden, Halifax. The teenagers stole his takings and fled.
The assault is the latest in a series of frightening attacks on cabbies, who have called for more protection.
Many drivers were today attending a seminar on safety organised by the council and the Health and Safety Executive in response to growing fears of violence.
Speaking about the attack in Rugby Terrace, Ovenden, Mr Shaheen, 23, said: "I don't feel safe any more.
"The back-seat passenger sprayed something in my face. My eyes started watering and it hurt. As I put my hands over my face they stole my money.
"One of the men tried to open my door but I quickly locked them. I put the car in reverse to get away and called police. I couldn't see the numbers on my mobile – I just felt for 999."
Mr Shaheen, married to Khatoon-Bi for five years, has three children. He says his wife worried about him being a cab driver.
"She asks why I don't leave. She thinks someone could kill me. But I have to work. I'm determined to stay."
Earlier this month youths stoned his car as he drove in Ovenden Way, Halifax.
And four months ago he collected six passengers from Lee Mount who refused to pay and threatened to attack him.
Mr Shaheen's colleagues at Premier Cars, Bull Green, are also worried about the increase in violence.
Amjid Rasheed, a cab driver for a year, said: "We've had people rob us and smash our windscreens two or three times. We had another CS gas incident in Hipperholme last year.
"Another time a driver was threatened with a knife and told to keep driving."
Other taxi firms have been plagued by stone-throwing gangs.
Mohammed Siddique, owner of Crossley's Private Hire, Dean Clough, Halifax, said his staff were regularly pelted, particularly in Illingworth, Ovenden and Boothtown. "Each time it costs us between £150 and £200."
Steve Smithies, of Halifax Taxi Drivers' Association, said: "CCTV is part of the answer but the council won't fund it from tax payers' money."
Last week four men were jailed for the murder of Huddersfield taxi driver Mohammad Parvaiz, 41.
Last month, another driver was beaten with metal bars after picking up a fare in Queensbury.
And in September, thugs beat a private hire driver, robbed him and left him for dead at Pye Nest, Halifax.
Police are investigating the attack on Mr Shaheen. Det Insp Mark McManus said: "It was a nasty assault."

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