Cabbies say they are becoming increasingly afraid to pick up fares after dark following a spate of violent attacks on taxi drivers this year.

Four robberies have taken place where cab drivers were threatened with gun violence three took place between May 22 and June 6.

Taxi operators have expressed an increasing concern over safety issues "particularly over the past year or two", Police said.

A spokesperson advised drivers with concerns to contact Police directly after 77-year-old Calworth Furbert was attacked and robbed at gunpoint on Friday night.

The tour operator was outside his Hamilton Parish home when he was knocked to the ground by four masked men demanding cash.

The thugs stole a BlackBerry from the father of Government MP Wayne Furbert, and broke his glasses. They ran away when a female neighbour came outside and shouted at them.

Mr. Furbert was left with cuts to his legs and a sprained hand.

Driver Hyman Bartley became the incidental victim of gun violence in the March 27 shooting of Jakai Harford.

Mr. Harford was a backseat passenger when he was shot by gunmen around 4 a.m. outside his Mission Lane, Pembroke home.

Mr. Bartley, who still drives a cab, said: "I've been driving for just over two years now and the last 18 months have been madness. Driving a taxi has become a whole different ball game."

He called for taxis to be allowed to tint their windows.

"I know more than one taxi that's been chased because of the occupants. If we had tinted windows it would mean you don't have to be fearful of a bike coming up and shooting into your cab."

Trouble wasn't necessarily confined to areas perceived as dangerous, he added.

"You could be picking somebody up on Front Street, someone happens to look in and see him, next thing you know they're licking off shots."

Another cabbie told this newspaper he had been the victim of two attempted robberies while driving at night. The man, who did not want to be named, said the first incident occurred four years ago.

Two passengers attempted to rob him near Duck's Puddle, Hamilton Parish. He fought back and his attackers ran away.

"It's gotten wicked nowadays, it's risky. I remember a time you could pull over and have a nap in your cab and leave the car unlocked. You can't do that now."

He continued: "The last time they had a knife. That was last year up in Warwick. There were five of them. The youngest looked about 14, the others [were] maybe in their 30s. I was parked, they approached me and got in for a ride. I was strapped into the car when they all started punching me in the head."

The man said he managed to save himself from harm by grabbing a knife and a fire extinguisher he kept handy.

"They got out of the car and ran off," he said.

Roger Vanderpool, of Island Wide Taxi Services, agreed driving has become more dangerous in recent years.

"We do get uneasy with certain characters that get in," he said.

"Very seldom do [robberies] happen in broad daylight. It's in the very early hours of the morning. Most of the time you get runners — you get to the destination and they run. But the main problem we're getting now is picking up a single guy off the street. They hail you down and then you get three, four people coming around the cab to rob you. They do target older drivers because they know they can't run after them."

Lloyd Smart, owner of VIP Taxi Services, said safety has been an issue in the 17 years he's been driving.

"You've got to be very, very cautious when picking up people. If I see a scruffy-looking individual and I don't pick him up, he can complain, but my safety comes first."

Mr. Smart said "attempts have been made" over the years, but as an ex-soldier he was usually able to steer clear of trouble.

The incident he remembers best happened in September 2000. A passenger snatched his wallet causing the car to crash.

Mr. Smart said he had also had cases of people snatching money while he gave them change.

"When you're behind the wheel, you're handicapped," he said.

Other drivers in Hamilton agreed the violence has made a tough business more difficult.

A 20-year veteran said: "It's always been risky but now it's getting dangerous. Guns have become a big problem. Before, you would have to worry about knives. Now you got to worry about guys shooting at you."

He said it had worsened particularly in the last four or five years, and suggested drivers get cameras installed in their car.

"I don't have one but I think everybody should. People would think twice if they knew they were being recorded."