Man posing as taxi driver picks up woman in Salisbury before acting "inappropriately"
Police have now issued an appeal
Last updated 29th Sep 2021
A woman had her leg touched and had sexual comments made to her by a man pretending to be a taxi driver in Salisbury.
In the early hours of 11th September, a woman got into a silver car in Millstream Approach believing it was a taxi she had booked with a local firm.
The driver then behaved inappropriately before she told him to stop the vehicle and getting out near to St Mark's Roundabout.
She then called a family member to come and pick her up.
The man is described as possibly Eastern European, and of a large build, and he was driving a silver saloon car.
APPEAL FOR INFORMATION
Wiltshire Police are confident that the man was not a registered taxi driver and say it's a very worrying incident.
They're now asking for the public's help in trying to track down this man.
PC Mark Douglas, from the Salisbury Area Community Policing Team, said:
“Thankfully the woman wasn’t injured in any way, but she was left feeling very uncomfortable and afraid by the way this man was acting.
“We have made enquiries locally and we do not believe the suspect was a legitimate taxi driver, but was instead acting in an opportunistic way to try to get a woman into his car.
“This is a very worrying incident and we would urge anyone who can assist with our enquiries to get in touch. We would also like to hear from anyone else who believes they may have been approached in a similar way by this man.”
Anyone who can assist with this investigation, including anyone who might have been driving at that time of the morning and may have dash cam footage, should call PC Douglas on 101, quoting crime reference 54210088622.
PROJECT VIGILANT
In order to make people feel more safe while out at night in the county, the force launched Project Vigilant.
In addition to the high visibility patrols already carried out by our Community Policing Teams, both uniformed officers and plain clothed officers will target pubs and clubs in towns and cities across the county in September and October.
PC Douglas added:
“We want everyone to feel safe in Salisbury, particularly those who are out visiting our restaurants, bars and clubs on a night out.
“Please be reassured that we have a visible policing presence in the city, and we carry out regular, proactive patrols to keep our night-time economy safe.”