Taxis drivers 'racially abused'

Taxi drivers say they now fear working in Huddersfield at night Three convicted of racist murder

A BBC investigation has found evidence of racist abuse directed at Huddersfield taxi drivers in the area where one of their colleagues was murdered.

In July last year, Mohammad Parvaiz was beaten to death by white teenagers in a racially-aggravated attack.

BBC Look North put a hidden camera into one cab driven by an Asian driver in Kirklees.

Some of the footage shows passengers threatening to destroy the taxi and "get rid of it back to the Taleban".

Others said they hoped the British National Party (BNP) would get into power one day and another told the driver of how a mosque had been desecrated.

The drivers are now calling for tougher security measures to help prevent another attack.

Mahmed Ravat, of the Kirklees Hackney Carriage Association, said: "I feel total disgust and something should be done immediately about this.

Taxi drivers say they fear working in Huddersfield at night

"We are doing a job and doing a very important job - we keep the night scene running. We should be at least respected for that."

The hidden camera film shows a woman describing how a mosque had been dishonoured.

She said: "I know a mosque where they put a pig's head in the place where you pray to Allah."

One man, referring to the taxi, said he would "...steal it, cut it up and get rid of it back to the Taleban".

Another said: "I hope the BNP get in one day, I'll tell you."

After his death, 3,000 of Mr Parvaiz's colleagues held a seven-hour strike demanding better protection.

Three teenagers have been convicted of his murder and a fourth pleaded guilty.