Majority call for more police at taxi rank

Friday 18 January 2019

Court appearances and a subsequent Express poll have shown a need for greater policing of the Weighbridge taxi rank area.

Comments on social media overwhelmingly supported the idea that more police on the ground in the area could help alleviate persistent misbehaviour which often occurs at the weekend.

We reported earlier this month that following three court appearances in as many months for offences committed at the taxi rank; drivers, passengers and those who use the area are beginning to call for greater controls.

Judge Cherry McMillan said during one such sentencing of an abusive individual that the  rank should be a place where taxi drivers can work "without fear of being exposed to this behaviour."

Head of the Guernsey Taxi Driver's Federation, Leon Gallienne, said that although it was good the trouble was contained into one area, there could be increased police at peak times to deal with a minority of offenders. 

"The more police you have on the ground the better that is but there's only a certain amount they can do, sometimes people are hellbent on trouble, especially when its fuelled by alcohol and unfortunately that is the way of the world," he said. 

Our poll: 'Do you ever feel intimidated in the taxi rank?' surveyed over 100 people to see whether or not people felt intimidated by behaviour in the taxi rank and therefore whether more police could be brought in. Voting in the poll by clicking an answer reveals the results in real time. 

With over 100 votes cast thus far we can see that the majority of people who voted would like to see increased police in the area, whether they ever feel personally intimidated or not. 42% of voters said; 'yes, there needs to be greater police presence' and 35% chose 'no, but maybe others do, there could be changes made'. 

Dozens of comments on the post suggested various solutions for the problem along with first hand accounts of the trouble.

Many recalled greater controls in the past and some suggested the businesses serving alcohol foot the bill for extra security. 

Pictured: Some of the comments from our facebook page on misbehaviour at the taxi rank.

A Guernsey Police spokesman said: “Policing resources need to be prioritised to meet demand wherever it is required. Town is monitored by CCTV and officers conduct regular patrols through the area.”