TAXI drivers have declared parts of Gillingham no-go areas after repeated attacks on them and their vehicles.

Robbery, assault and abuse from youngsters are on the rise and drivers have had enough.

The intimidation has left some of them so afraid they are refusing jobs in problem areas Knight Avenue, Beatty Avenue and Parr Avenue are particular trouble spots.

In the past three months, yobs have attacked drivers, vandalised cabs, stolen cash and run off without paying. Three attacks took place in January.

One driver, who asked not to be named for fear of repercussions, said: "We are trying to earn our bread and butter but we can't. If you know you're not going to be safe at work, you don't go."

He also told of the recent rise in abuse of drivers all over Medway.

"One colleague was attacked in Chatham earlier this month. He's so scared he didn't even want to tell us about it," he said.

"He's certain they'll come looking for him if he tells anyone else. Two men beat him to the ground in daylight as he was getting into his car on his day off."

In other incidents, one driver was kicked and punched while his son was still in his car. Another driver was beaten up by two teenage boys who tried to steal his car.

Many other drivers have had their windows smashed repeatedly and mobile phones stolen.

The driver said: "We are self-employed so we have to pay for all this damage ourselves. We can't take these people to court because it's not worth the costs.

"We are here to do a service, to take people from A to B but it could get to the point where our lives our in danger."

Sergeant Kaye Braybrook of Medway police said: "There is a dedicated team who cover Medway and in addition a patrol which covers a smaller area which would include Knight Avenue, Parr Avenue and Beatty Avenue.

"If there are a lot of calls to areas such as these we will send extra cover and patrols as necessary."

mlegouais@thekmgroup.co.uk