DISPUTES between Hackney cab drivers and private hire vehicle operators could escalate into violence, police have been warned.

Chairman of the newly-formed Burnley Hackney Association, Iftar Hussain, said he had been told that his cab would be smashed if he didn't move it.

That late night incident led to the Hackney drivers withdrawing their services and going to the police.

A dozen hackney drivers attended last night's meeting of Burnley Police and Community Forum to air grievances, complaining that their night time trade was being stolen by private hire drivers illegally plying for hire and parking on double yellow lines away from their offices. Recent troubles started after Burnley Council increased the number of black cab licences from 16 to 34, with no extra parking ranks.

A meeting was being held in council offices today to try to find a solution to the problem.

Hackney Association spokesman Rehman Habib said the potential disorder problem in Burnley town centre between Hackney drivers and private hire drivers had been reported to police over the last couple of weeks.

He said: "At night, Hackney trade is stolen by private hire vehicles which are parked on double yellow lines. Private hire are pre-booked cars which should not go out in town plying for hire. There is no trade left for Hackney cabs, we are losing a lot of money.'' He added: "It (trouble) is going to happen. We don't want it, it is the best interests of everyone to try to solve it.''

Divisional police commander Chief Supt Mike Griffin warning that if people from either side were making threats of violence they were committing an criminal offence and he would have no hesitation in putting together a team of officers and taking people to court.

"We cannot have threats about what is going to happen. If we have violence it will be dealt with in the strongest possible way,'' he added.

Chief Supt Griffin said both groups of drivers operated under different rules and police had to be even handed. Common sense was needed to try to solve the problems amicably and as soon as possible. Outside the meeting, Mr Habib said a solution would be to provide night-time only ranks in the Hargreaves Street area.

Local shopkeepers had objected to parking areas there being used for taxis in the daytime but the drivers' problem was mainly at night. He added: "We want solutions to be found. We don't want the situation to develop into violence.''

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