This summer’s riots saw violence across the country following the deaths of three children in Southport.
The unrest that followed – largely spurred on by racist misinformation – saw violence, damage and disorder in communities, leaving people scared to go out and businesses looted.
The despicable acts that followed also saw taxi and PHV drivers targeted because of their occupation.
Abuse
Sunderland born-and-raised taxi driver Zaf Iqbal broke down in tears as he recalled being told to “go home” by racists during rioting which also led to his mosque being targeted.
In an interview with the BBC, he said: “It is very frightening because you’ve got a mob attacking a building which is a place of worship. Just the same as a church, a gurdwara, or a Hindu temple. It is a building for worship. I have lived my life here. I am proud of the fact I am a Mackem. I am proud that I am English.
“I was born and raised and lived all my life in Sunderland. Today I don’t (feel safe). Sunderland’s my life. I go to the matches, I’ve got a season ticket. I sit there in amongst the crowd. Why shouldn’t I feel safe on the streets I was born and lived all my life in?”
Precautions
As violence spread across the country, taxi drivers in Reading were encouraged to remove taxi and private hire signs from their vehicles after other drivers were targeted. The move also followed social media claims that right-wing groups were “coming for them”.
Reading Private Hire Association (RPHA) chairman Kamran Saddiq told the Reading Chronicle: “Our safety concern is for our drivers and the trade. Locals and taxi drivers are being targeted. People are living in fear, they need to work.
“The best way forward until the dust settles is to remove the signs and plates.
“Our customers have all got our apps, so when the driver picks the customer up, the customers have the driver’s details.
“Until the dust settles, the taxis will appear as normal cars.”
Discrimination
Mr Saddiq stressed that the removal of signs and plates was a temporary measure during the disturbances.
He added: “I was born in Reading, I’ve been here since 1978, I’ve never seen these tensions.
“Reading is multicultural, there are people of all different races, religions and backgrounds here.
“We’ve never had riots in our town. It’s a close-knit community, that’s the one thing we love.
“That’s what our town is all about.”
Drivers in Sheffield had also requested to remove signs from their cabs to avoid being targeted.
The BBC reports that although drivers in the city experienced racial abuse, the council and police were monitoring the situation and would only recommend removing signs if trouble escalated.
As well as taxi drivers being targeted during the disturbances, some were also accused of being involved.
Gerard Glaister, of Workington, Cumbria, was arrested on August 8 and charged in connection with posting racially motivated offensive content online.
He is due to formally enter a plea at Carlisle Crown Court on September 13 with a trial date set for December 11. He has been remanded on bail but his hackney carriage licence has been revoked by Cumberland Council.
