Overview

• A GMB poll of 400 private hire drivers exposed frequent threats of knives, machetes, racial abuse and stones hurled at vehicles.
• 46% of respondents reported being directly affected by last summer’s far-right attacks against immigration centres and charities.
• Some drivers have begun carrying baseball bats for protection and many admit to feeling too scared to take shifts.
• Last year’s unrest led to more than 1,000 arrests and left hundreds injured across the UK.
• GMB national officer Eamon O’Hearn said drivers were on the “front line” of the unrest and called for urgent measures to improve their safety.