A stronger Police presence is needed to counteract attacks on taxi drivers, according to Shadow Transport Minister Erwin Adderley.

Mr. Adderley recently talked to the The Royal Gazette in the wake of news that taxi drivers were arming themselves to prevent assaults and robberies.

"I appreciate the dilemma that the drivers find themselves in,'' he said.

"To have to pick someone up and take them to a certain locale and then find themselves accosted by the person is very rough indeed.

"However, I cannot condone the carrying of weapons that are supposed to be banned in Bermuda.

"These people (the robbers) should be incarcerated, locked up so that they aren't a menace to the drivers as well as the general public.'' Such people were not only targetting taxi drivers, Mr. Adderley said, they were also breaking into people's homes.

"They are a threat to us all,'' he said. "There needs to be a greater Police presence in our community.'' The taxi drivers recently told The Royal Gazette they felt there should be some protection for them, especially at night. They spoke out about the recent attacks on their fellow drivers and how they felt about one of their fellow drivers being fined for carrying a stun gun.

Some of the drivers also stated that they carried weapons in their vehicles to protect themselves.

Police spokesman Coleman Easton yesterday said: "The Bermuda Police Service is concerned about the reports of violence toward taxi drivers, as we are about any such acts committed against any sector of the public.

"... we can not condone the use of violence by any members of the public, or approve the possession of prohibited weapons for whatever reason.