A 20-year-old man has been arrested after an Uber driver in Nottingham was spat on and subjected to racist abuse.
The incident occurred at around 9.30pm on Saturday, 30 August, on Victoria Street. According to Nottinghamshire Police, the suspect, who appeared intoxicated, entered a parked Uber and demanded a lift.
When the driver explained he could only accept pre-booked journeys, the man became aggressive. He allegedly challenged the driver to a fight before launching into a tirade of racist abuse. As the driver began recording the confrontation, the suspect reportedly spat at him.
Police officers quickly tracked the man down on nearby Friar Lane. He was arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated common assault and has since been released on bail with strict conditions while enquiries continue.
PC Harry Brown, who is leading the investigation, condemned the incident:
“It is simply not okay for anyone to subject anyone to racial abuse, and this kind of behaviour will never be tolerated by us as a force.”
He added that the victim was left “too distressed to carry on with his shift,” underlining the damaging impact such attacks can have on drivers and others working in public service roles.
A Serious Issue for Taxi and Private Hire Drivers
Unfortunately, incidents of abuse against taxi and private hire drivers are not uncommon. Industry bodies continue to call for stronger protections, highlighting that drivers — many of whom work late at night and alone — are particularly vulnerable to aggressive or abusive passengers.
Police have urged anyone with further information about this case to come forward as investigations continue.
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