By Laura Wakely
TEN taxi drivers have been robbed in a string of incidents across Melbourne’s North West.
Police said two offenders had called taxis to random residential addresses asking to be driven to Tullamarine Airport.
But when the taxi arrived, at what was usually a dead-end street or quiet residential court, the offenders held the driver at gun or knifepoint before taking cash and mobile phones.
Since July 2011, up to 10 drivers have been attacked with four incidents in Albion (on the 20 and 22 July and 10 and 11 August), two in Tullamarine (28 August and 17 September), and one each in East Keilor (2 September), Keilor Park (13 September), Gladstone Park (31 August) and Altona Meadows (21 September).
The offenders wore dark clothing and balaclavas, removing the taxi ignition keys before taking off in their own vehicle.
Victorian Taxi Association (VTA) spokesperson David Samuel said the armed robberies were of “real concern” but that the VTA was “pleased” the police were taking the incidents “seriously”.
He said the VTA was doing “everything” to assist in the investigations, which have added to a stack of problems facing the industry.
The VTA revealed last month there was a serious shortage of taxi drivers heading into the holiday season.
Although Mr Samuel said the shortage largely stemmed from low wages, he said crimes against taxi drivers “weren’t helping” attract employees.
“No one wants to come into an industry where you might be attacked,” he said.
He said drivers were well-protected by alarms, protective screens and the new pre-paid fare system, but the VTA has urged drivers to be “more cautious” when working in the North and West.
He also reassured customers that taxis would continue to take calls from the north-western suburbs.
Anyone with information about the incidents can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au
