Many taxi drivers and private hire vehicle owners will be aware that there would appear to be an increase in the number of areas dotted around the UK where he or she is not prepared to either pick up or drop off a passenger. You only have to check out the likes of Google News to see articles about this.

This is a shame as, like many other businesses, the taxi trade could do with as many customers as possible in the current economic climate.

There are sometimes reports of taxis being damaged, of taxi drivers being attacked and having their takings stolen. Obviously, this is of concern and anything that can be done to reduce or better still stop such things has got to be welcomed. Unfortunately, it may even be putting off some people who were considering becoming a taxi driver or private hire vehicle owner entering the trade.

It is difficult to come up with many suggestions as to how best to deal with the problem. Obviously, such incidents should be reported to the police in the hope that the culprits can be found and brought to justice. Taxi drivers could consider having a security camera installed in the vehicle to record passengers in the hope that this would act as a deterrent and help bring the perpetrator to justice at the earliest opportunity. This is increasing a taxi driver’s capital expenditure at a time he or she could do without but in the long term it could prove beneficial.

No taxi driver should feel that they are unhappy to carry on their business in certain locations but it is not worth taking the risk of their taxi being damaged or themselves being injured. Of course, there will probably be taxi drivers who are agreeable to enter certain no go areas to drop off or pick up a fare paying passenger but that is their decision.