Taxi drivers in Southend are being hit by a wave of overnight break-ins, with at least ten vehicles left damaged after their windows were smashed in a suspected coordinated spree.
The incidents are reported to have started in the early hours of Saturday morning (11th April) and have continued each night since, with thieves striking between 1am and 5am.
Pair reportedly targeting taxis in early hours
Drivers and residents who have reviewed doorbell camera footage say the offenders appear to be working as a pair.
The male and female pair have been seen first smashing the windows of parked taxis, before returning a couple of hours later to “ransack the vehicles” in search of cash and other valuables.
A number of the attacks have been concentrated in the Westborough area of Westcliff, raising concerns that the offenders may be repeatedly returning to the same neighbourhoods under cover of darkness.
One local resident questioned the motive behind the crimes, saying: “I’m not sure they’ll be finding much cash – don’t they know that everyone uses cards now!?”
Shaun Stacey added: “Do they really think the taxi drivers would leave cash in their cars?”
Taxi drivers left out of work as damage mounts
For drivers, the impact is immediate and costly. Broken windows mean vehicles are taken off the road, often for days, while repairs are carried out.
Jonny See, one of the drivers affected, said: “They did my cab on Sunday night / early Monday morning at 3.17am!”
A Westcliff resident, Janine Armitage, described the financial strain on those affected: “I spoke to one taxi driver yesterday morning in Sweyne Avenue and he told me that it’s affected his livelihood because he now was unable to work for at least a week whilst waiting for new glass to be installed. He said he was particularly worried about how it’s going to affect him financially.”
Taxi firm issues appeal for help
Taxi company 333 444 has now issued an urgent public appeal after multiple drivers working for them were targeted.
A spokesperson said: “We’ve unfortunately seen a number of taxi and private hire vehicles targeted since the weekend in and around Westcliff and Southend-on-Sea, with windows being deliberately smashed.
This is affecting working drivers and their livelihoods, and we are taking it very seriously. We are asking:
- All drivers to please report any incidents to the police
- Local residents and businesses to check CCTV, dashcams, or doorbell footage from the weekend onwards
- If you notice a vehicle with a smashed window in your area, please check your CCTV or Ring doorbell footage as it may have captured something important
- Anyone with information to come forward, report to the police no matter how small it may seem
If you have footage or information that could help, please report it to the police and feel free to message us directly so we can support the investigation.”
The company spokesperson added: “Let’s work together as a community to keep everyone safe and prevent further incidents. Thank you for your support.”
Anyone who has seen anything suspicious in the affected areas, particularly during the early hours, is being urged to report it to police.
Drivers are also being advised to remain vigilant, as concerns grow that the offenders may continue targeting vehicles unless they are identified.