Drivers running a gauntlet of fear

DRIVERS with Delta Cars have come under attack from bricks and stones. Pictured, left, are Abdul Qayoom and Steven Connell with colleagues

A TAXI firm says that it is reluctant to take jobs after dark in Moorside and Derker after yobs throwing bricks and stones at cars left their drivers too scared to work in the area.

After the Chronicle reported last week that an Uber driver was left shaken when a brick smashed his windscreen after it was thrown at his car on Ripponden Road, more people have come forward to say they have experienced the same danger in recent weeks.

Drivers at private hire firm Delta Cars, on Huddersfield Road, have started to turn down evening and night jobs in the area after an ongoing series of incidents over the past few months where missiles, including bricks, stones, mud and even pumpkins, have been thrown at them.

Windscreens have been smashed or chipped, paintwork has been damaged and bonnets and doors have had numerous dents following the regular attacks.

In each of the incidents drivers report seeing a group of young people throwing the items at cars before quickly running away and hiding.

Linda Qayoom, office manageress at Delta Cars, said: "We operate mainly in the Derker and Moorside area and these people who are throwing stones are causing major issues for our drivers, to the point were they are not coming to work or refusing a job in these areas.

"As our drivers are self-employed, they are losing an income as is the firm as a whole because we are are not being able to provide a taxi service to customers.

"We are having to turn jobs down in the area because our drivers don't think it is safe.

"Attacks are happening regularly, almost every night at the moment as it gets darker earlier.

"We're worried it will only get worse now the clocks have gone back."

She added that the firm has reported each incident to the police and are concerned that there may be a serious accident if action is not taken soon to stop those responsible.

Linda continued: "We've drummed it into our drivers that whenever it happens they should call 101 and log it with the police, but so far nothing has happened to stop the attacks.

"Thankfully no-one has been injured but everyone is seriously concerned about what is happening.

"Someone could be seriously hurt, either a driver or a passenger travelling in the taxi or even one of the children that are causing all this may be harmed if the vehicle is trying to get out of the way in a panic.

"Something needs to be done about it now.

"There needs to be a crackdown by police and parents need to check where their children are and what they are doing in the afternoons and evenings.

"It's only a matter of time before there is a serious accident."

Other motorists also contacted the Chronicle to say they had been involved in similar incidents in Moorside, including some in daylight hours.

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals, said: "I was driving up Ripponden road in daylight with my wife in the passenger seat.

"We reached Conduit Street and I saw three lads, about 13 years old. One of them threw something at my car narrowly missing the front passenger window but chipped the paint and put a small dent the door.

"I chased after them but they had disappeared down a path that runs down the side of Hodge Clough School through a wooded area and eventually joins Wilkes Street.

"I drove down Wilkes Street in the hope of catching them but when they saw my car approaching they ran off again."

Another resident has been hit on the head with mud and stones. The resident said: "Kids were throwing mud and stones at cars and people.

"It was on Ripponden Rd near Wilkes Street and three young lads were hiding in gardens.

"My friend confronted them and she was hit on her head with a stone in the mud."