AS a fellow taxi driver, I feel compelled to comment on the recent tragic events surrounding the brutal murder of Mr Javed.

This senseless act of violence committed against someone going about their lawful business, will, I am sure, be roundly condemned by everyone, especially those of us who work in the taxi business.

However, there are certain elements within that community who seem hell-bent on inflaming an already volatile situation by behaving in an intimidating and aggressive manner towards their fellow taxi drivers, in order to further their own narrow-minded and prejudiced agendas. At the end of the day, we all do the same job and face the same risks, regardless of race, colour or creed. I am sure that I speak for the vast majority of people in this trade when I say that we must send a clear and united message to the authorities, that we will not tolerate these continued attacks upon our members. The full weight of the law should be brought to bear on those found guilty of such offences.

We must work together to ensure that we can provide a service which is both safe for the public to use, and for us to provide. Until we learn to do that, the common enemy that we face will have succeeded in their aim to promote racial disharmony within our community.

I would like to extend, on behalf of myself and my colleagues, our deepest sympathy and condolences to Mrs Javed's wife and family.

A FELLOW TAXI DRIVER