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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Reporting a taxi driver.... **Title edited by MNHQ**

29 replies

DontBiteTheBoobThatFeedsYou · 27/07/2020 08:33

I've posted about this recently. A taxi driver who shouted and swore at me and I wasn't sure who was in the wrong.
original post here

But there's an update.
I got another taxi to the train station yesterday using a different company.
I asked the guys opinion on what has happened and he said he personally would never keep the meter running while I fetched the money but more so, he shouldn't have been abusive and the card machines rarely run into trouble round this area (which use 3G, Bluetooth etc).

Anyway, on the way home I get to the station and just jump into the first cab I see.
I didn't look at the guy plus he had a mask. Then he says "so you're in a better mood today then?"

And I automatically recognise his accent. I told him to stop the car (we have only pulled forward a cars length at this point. I opened the door and leapt out, to my horror he opens his door and starts to run round the back of the cab (that's where id gone) towards me.
Thankfully because we are still outside the station, another cab pulls up and the exact same time and I leap in.

I tell the man what's happened and he's really angry.
Apparently this guy has been doing this for ages and I have to complain, he was really pressing that I had to complain. He said not to complain to the company but to go above them and wrote down all the details the mans car, his name, the phone number. And by his own description the man has "bad mental problems" (English wasn't his first language, he wasn't trying to be offensive when he said that.)

My immediate thought was, of course I will complain.
But now in the cold light of day, I realised this guy is unhinged and knows where I live. If I complain, just my description of what he did and when, will give away that it's me, even if he has done it to other people. Same goes if I do it anonymous. The situation is specific enough for him to know it's me.
And if I'm vague with details it won't be worth reporting.

I'm not even sure why I'm posting this. I guess in case anyone had words of wisdom.

OP posts:
Original poster
DontBiteTheBoobThatFeedsYou · 27/07/2020 08:48

.

OP posts:
QueenArnica · 27/07/2020 08:49

That sounds scary OP. I’m not sure the police can do anything as he hasn’t threatened you.

I’m sure you’re shaken up but he knew where you lived anyway and didn’t pay you a visit. Not sure how 111 works in terms of logging it but hope you’re ok.

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 27/07/2020 09:28

On the basis of what the 2nd driver said I think I would ring the police and ask what they would advise.

Yankathebear · 27/07/2020 09:29

I would ring the police.

Laaalaaaa · 27/07/2020 09:30

I wouldn’t contact his company - take it to licensing at your local council as I imagine he has to have a licence issued by the council to drive.

otterbaby · 27/07/2020 09:36

I've complained about a taxi driver to the council before. They basically said as I didn't have dash cam footage, nothing could be taken further. They did say they spoke to him (and he denied everything) so keep in mind they may contact him and he could put two and two together.

SlothMama · 27/07/2020 09:37

I'd contact the Police and the council who issue licences to report him. I understand your fear about him knowing where you live however he's clearly got issues and he could hurt someone.

Cabinfever10 · 27/07/2020 09:42

You can complain to the council who issues his taxi licence. They may not act if yours is the only complaint they have about him but they will keep a record of it. If however they have multiple complaints they may start an investigation into him which would include mystery shoppers type journeys. The licensing board has a procedure for removing licences which should protect your identity, they also have the option of just not renewing his licence when it comes up.

GoldStripes · 27/07/2020 09:47

Please OP, contact the police.

He sounds very unstable, and based on what the other taxi driver told you it sounds like you aren’t the only person to have had a bad experience with him.

MyOwnSummer · 27/07/2020 09:57

I would strongly encourage you to report him to his company, and the council licensing office. The company won't want him representing them, and they should be given a chance to fix the problem. Honestly, this guy is not suitable to do a job mixing with people, especially not in a situation where he is alone with the customer and has a considerable amount of power.

Please think about what the impact could be if he's allowed to carry on, and do the right thing.

GabsAlot · 27/07/2020 10:04

i read your other thread-shame u didnt report him about putting the fare up and screaming at you it would have been noted so this time you could have said its happened again

if you dont say anything he'll do it to other women

Horehound · 27/07/2020 10:07

Still pursue complaining.
I mean let's say he did turn up to your home...you call the police.

Original poster
DontBiteTheBoobThatFeedsYou · 27/07/2020 11:20

GabsAlot I didn't complain that time for the exact reason I didn't complain this time.

The man is unstable and he knows where I live....

OP posts:
OldBean2 · 27/07/2020 12:27

OP, he has known where you live since the first occasion and nothing happened. Please complain, I had to do so many years ago, it is the right thing to do.

You should also remember that most driver forget where they have been the minute they drop you off and sometimes even when they are driving you home. So be brave and make the call to the licensing authority at the Council. It is the right thing to do.

OnlyaMummy · 27/07/2020 12:52

I'd reccomend reporting. It may be worth contacting the non emergency police and saying that you would like a note to be put on record stating your experience and providing details in case it escalates in the future so it is all on record.

I had to do this for a similar scenario recently and the police were more than accomodating.

sockonmyhead · 27/07/2020 12:57

How can you recognise that saying he has bad mental problems could be offensive but then refer to this man as a psycho?

I’m sorry you’ve had a frightening experience but your choice of language is thoughtless.

BuffaloMozzerella · 27/07/2020 13:20

Tell the police.

Original poster
DontBiteTheBoobThatFeedsYou · 27/07/2020 14:04

sockonmyhead because the guy wasn't trying to be offensive.

However, I think the bloke who screamed at me, repeatedly told me to fuck off, intimidated and chased me was an absolutely arsehole.

I love how you can read all that he did to me, but pull me up on one word.

A nice dose of female solidarity right there. 👊🏻

OP posts:
sockonmyhead · 27/07/2020 14:23

I did express sympathy but your choice of “one word” is significant even if you don’t realise it. Arsehole and psycho are not interchangeable words.

EveningNibble · 27/07/2020 14:29

You need to ring the licensing department at the council.

LiveandLetPie · 27/07/2020 14:35

Report it to the Council and Police - he may be doing this daily and intimidating all sorts of people.

Please do it.

TrickyD · 27/07/2020 14:43

Yes, pull the OP on one word. 🙄
Sounds as if he is both a psycho and an arsehole.

sockonmyhead · 27/07/2020 14:58

I fully agree the driver should be reported to the proper authorities but I can understand why the OP is scared and worried.

However, if the one word had been to do with race, sex, sexuality, religion or a myriad of other things then it would have been called out by everyone, yet somehow a slur to do with mental health is ok.

I personally feel that people who use psycho as a descriptor for others behaviour are also arseholes.

TrickyD · 27/07/2020 15:51

That rather depends on the behaviour.

Original poster
DontBiteTheBoobThatFeedsYou · 27/07/2020 15:56

In typical MN fashion it gets tipped on his head, and I'm the arsehole.

My apologies for the word that I used.
That's how I felt at the time.
I should have just used arsehole. Or dick, or something. (But then am I insulting someone who has issues with his mental health? Maybe he is JUST an arsehole, who knows).

I've given it some thought, I will report to the right people (not the taxi company) but like a wuss I'm going to leave it a couple of weeks in hope that he doesn't track it back to me.
I know I'm being a wuss, but I've got kids this sort of stuff keeps me up at night.

OP posts: