Taxi drivers must be careful not to overreact in light of recent robberies aimed at them.

Arming themselves with pipes could cause more problems than it is meant to solve and may lead to unsavoury circumstances.

Junior DeSilva said he did not think that taxi operators or the Government can do anything else to protect cabbies.

"Robbing taxi drivers is not new,'' he said. "I was robbed 20 years ago -- there is nothing more that we can do.

"I am opposed to putting up any kind of barricade or shields because I don't think that is fitting for Bermuda.

"They have them in New York but they are still shooting and robbing taxi drivers there and in London the same thing is still happening even though they are shielded away.

"Bermuda is unique in its own way and I think we should keep the standard that we have.'' Mr. DeSilva said that in the end it is up to taxi drivers themselves to scrutinise their passengers before they pick them up.

And even in the cab the driver should do other things such as ask to see identification if he/she is still unsure.

"Arms and weapons are not a good thing to do,'' he added. "I trust that people will do what they think they have to but I don't think we should be taking up arms.

"Those drivers that do carry weapons could end up overreacting. We have a problem but we will deal with it. For every action there is a reaction and right now I think we are overreacting.'' Charles Hutchinson a veteran of some 54 years as a taxi operator, said ultimately the solution is to bring back the punishment of flogging conviction robbers.

"There is only one thing that needs to be done,'' he said. "Bring back the cat`o'nine tails and everything will be in order.'' Clarence Tucker meanwhile said that the recent attacks on cab drivers has made many uneasy.

"We are having attacks now like we have never had before and of course it is causing an awful lot of concern.

"It is just so unfortunate because we struggle out here to earn a living and to find that now we have to be put in a situation where we have to be concerned about our safety is not fair at all.

"I will be very cautious about who I pick up. Some people may be offended by this and I hope I don't get into any trouble doing that.'' Dennis Smith said that with the increased attacks he is more careful where he goes to the point where he avoids certain areas all together.

"Even if I see a guy walking and its dark and I cannot see his face he will not get into my taxi. I know it's wrong to refuse anyone but I put myself first.

"I have been robbed twice. People have got into my taxi and when they have reached their destination they have got out and said they are going to get their money and then they never returned.

"Some of them were as nice as ever. They spoke to me and asked me about my day. But I still don't want to see screens. That's not Bermuda. It makes it look like Bermuda is a dangerous place.'' Ernest Perry said he was worried and sickened to learn that other drivers have been attacked.

"There's nothing much you can do because you don't know until you get to the end whether or not you will get paid.'' Earl Hill said he rarely drove his cab at night and even in the day time he has passed persons who wanted rides because he did not know them.

"I want someone to do something about it. Someone is going to get hurt.

Either the taxi driver or the person who committed the offence.

"It's going to happen -- you mark my words -- someone is going to get killed.

Then you will see Government stepping in but then it will be too late. They have got to close the door while the horse is still in the barn. Don't wait until he's out before you try to close the door.'' Junior DeSilva Earl Hill Charles Hutchinson Ernest Perry Dennis Smith Clarence Tucker