A BITTER war has broken out between some of Newton Abbot's taxi drivers in which one firm's proprietor says he has lost thousands of pounds because of intimidation and harassment towards his drivers.

Stephen Sargent, of Olympic Taxis, has leased land alongside the Jolly Farmer pub in the western service area off Market Street for a six-space private taxi rank.

But Friday and Saturday nights are a nightmare, claims Mr Sargent, because of antisocial behaviour by other taxi drivers who deliberately block in and obstruct his drivers and illegally park on double yellow lines, touting for business.

'Each driver has been losing around £150 at weekends because of this escalating situation,' he said.

'One visiting driver received an £80 fixed penalty for threatening behaviour against myself and also threatening criminal damage.

'In another incident, one of my women drivers was harassed and was afraid a fight would kick off after she asked two taxi drivers to move off the rank. She went to police officers nearby, explaining she needed help to move them, but was told they could not do anything because it was a civil matter.

'The police and Teignbridge and Devon County councils are aware of the problem since I

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acquired the land,' he added.

There have been numerous other incidents, including a large industrial waste bin being overturned on to the taxi rank.

Mr Sargent said the industry's deregulation last year brought a flood of new taxi drivers.

'I decided to secure the firm's and my drivers' income by leasing land in a prime location. I could not offer spaces to every driver in town, but in the initial stages I offered it to existing drivers for a nominal £1 weekly. That has since gone up to permits of £5 and £7.50.

'Currently I have seven drivers, including myself and three independent drivers,' he stated adding that he believed those causing the problems were resentful of his business initiative.

'They are licensed taxi drivers but they are operating illegally by contravening traffic regulations and hackney carriage licensing policies, but I must stress the majority of taxi drivers in Teignbridge are law abiding and responsible,' he said.

Mr Sargent has also taken up the matter with Devon and Cornwall Police Professional Standards Department because, he says, the police are not getting back to him.

'On Saturday night, taxi drivers were double-parked in Market Street. The police were in a van watching them and doing nothing about it,' he stated.

He has contacted Teignbridge MP Richard Younger-Ross, who is writing to the councils and police.

County highways has written to Mr Sargent, saying the issue of evening civil parking enforcement had yet to be resolved. The police remained responsible for illegal offences such as dangerous parking and obstruction.

Once the Bank Street/Wolborough Street enhancement was completed, a review of all traffic management arrangements in this area would be undertaken, the letter added.

A Teignbridge spokesman said: 'We have been made aware of issues regarding illegal parking by taxis in this area, and are working closely with the complainant and our partner agencies to try and remedy the situation. Late night inspections have been undertaken by licensing officers, and more will be carried out.

'Longer term solutions are being investigated, and these may include taking parking enforcement action if possible. Any obstruction of the highway could also be referred to the police, and the county as highways authority, and may result in prosecution for offenders.'

No-one was available for comment from the police.