Investigation launched after Wakefield taxi driver assaulted on busy street

Officers were called in the early hours of Saturday, August 15 to reports that a man had been assaulted on Lower Warrengate, close to The Rainbow pub.

Photos from the scene show police and ambulance vehicles in attendance and a small crowd of people gathered around a person who is lying on the floor.

They are now investigating the assault, and are appealing for anyone with any information on the incident to get in touch.

Locak taxi driver Waj Ali said taxi drivers in the city are facing an increased number of attacks.

He said: "Lots of these kinds of incidents are happening, but many of them are going under the radar.

"We've obviously had five or six months where drivers haven't had to cover the night time economy, but it is recovering now.

"Drivers need to be on their guard and they should refuse a job if they don't feel safe.

"I've been a taxi driver for 14 years and I've experienced nastiness myself picking passengers up late at night.

"I've felt threatened and it can be very intimidating. It's not everyone that's the problem of course, but I'd say between five to 10 per cent of the passengers you might pick up from the night time economy are rogue."

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact West Yorkshire Police on 101 or via their website, quoting reference number 13200410010.