Colchester taxi driver reports fourth attack on parked car

Melvyn Moss, 63, said he would retire tomorrow if he could afford to after suffering the latest in a long line of vandal attacks.

The veteran cabbie of 20 years left his Hackney Carriage parked on the street outside his home in Greenstead on January 27.

At around 11.30pm a neighbour’s CCTV camera captured a woman throwing an item through a window.

The footage also captures a woman shining a light through a rear window and trying to open the doors.

A woman shines a light through the taxi window (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Moss said the damage cost £500 to repair, while a wallet containing £80 in cash was stolen from a door pocket.

“It’s always a smash and grab, I had a sat nav they didn’t take and dashcam they didn’t take,” he said.

“I do blame myself for [the wallet], I should have taken everything out.

“We’re all in terror of it happening to us.

“To me, financially this is extremely serious, we’re earning to try and survive.

“But we’re being attacked, apart from the attitude of passengers, the ones who don’t pay – the runners, we are getting hit left right and centre.

“I’m retiring in two years, if I can afford it. But I would do it now if I could."

Mr Moss said the damage to his taxi across four separate attacks has cost him around £1,500.

He said his colleagues, Colchester Council licensed taxi drivers, reported incidents including thefts or abuse “on a daily or nightly basis”.

“I can honestly say this is worse than it’s ever been,” he said.

“A lot of drivers don’t report it to the police, but the more of us who complain the more likely something will be done.

“This is financially crippling.”

Last month another cabbie, who asked to remain anonymous, said taxi drivers in Colchester are facing an "epidemic" of attacks. 

READ MORE: Colchester taxi driver tells of 'epidemic of attacks'

He said windows are being caved in and tyres slashed by criminals.

The taxi driver, who has been ferrying customers about for almost 20 years, said drivers fear if they speak out they will have the licences revoked.

“It has happened in the Hythe, some in New Town and others in Shrub End and out to Stanway,” he said.

“It is going to keep on going, I don’t see where it will stop. We’re just sticking a plaster over our vehicles and then getting done again.”

Last month the chairman of the Colchester Hackney Carriage Association said crooks targeting taxis are “costing drivers a fortune”.

He claimed since December at least 60 Hackney Carriages in the city have been the subject of a break-in or attempted burglary.

'Public safety is of paramount importance'

An Essex Police spokesman said: “The unknown suspect smashed the window of a taxi before stealing a wallet containing cash.

"Due to a lack of positive lines of enquiry, this investigation has been temporarily filed.

"Should further information come to light, this will be reviewed and the investigation could be reopened.

"Preventing and investigating thefts from any motor vehicle is a high priority for Essex Police and we appreciate the impact these crimes have on victims.

"To keep your vehicle safe, we advise drivers to keep their car locked and consider fitting your car with an alarm or a tracking device."

A Colchester Council spokesman said: “Public safety is of paramount concern to us.

“Our local hackney carriage and private hire drivers come to work to help people and do not expect or deserve to be attacked or abused for simply doing their job.

“We will continue to support local drivers where we can, but advise they call the police in the first instance to report any criminal activity or behaviour.”