Top firm in legal threat over V Cars email

WHSmith has ordered employees not to use V Cars taxis after police investigated claims that one of the cab firm's drivers attacked an employee he had been sent to collect.

An internal email to staff at the Greenbridge headquarters, which has been leaked to the Adver, urges them to use United Radio Cars, rather than V Cars, "in the interest of personal safety''.

Police have investigated the woman's claims that she was attacked but the man was released and is not facing any charges. V Cars director John Gardner said the company was "astonished" and solicitors were now dealing with the matter.

"We have been told by the police that they investigated the allegations and found they were completely unsubstantiated," he said.

" We take any complaint against staff very seriously, but in this case clearly the allegations against the driver were completely unfounded.

"We were astonished to discover that WH Smith have apparently sent an email to their employees stating that one of their staff had been assaulted by one of our drivers, and because of that we have put the matter in the hands of our solicitors."

It is understood the email has been passed by WH Smith workers to friends at other firms in the town and that word has now got around.

Mr Gardner said V Cars had been inundated by companies offering their support.

"We have been overwhelmed by the number of people in all sections of the business community who have rung us up today to tell us about the email, condemn it and offer us their total support," he said.

The email to staff is titled Important notice re taxi firms'.

It reads: "We understand that one of our employees has been attacked and robbed by a V Cars taxi driver who had been pre-booked by telephone.

"We have taken steps to remove their account and instructed Reception and Security to use United' taxis instead.

"However, there are still V Cars taxis turning up that are being booked by other means.

"In the interests of personal safety, we would strongly advise that you no longer use V Cars and use United' instead.

"We have placed cards in reception for your convenience.

"The police are aware of the incident and are currently investigating."

A spokeswoman for WHSmith confirmed: "Our preferred taxi company is now United.

"I haven't got any further details at this stage because it is a police matter and they are investigating it."

Ramin Pahlavan, one of the owners of United, which has now been given the account for WHSmith, said: "Of course I am shocked to hear allegations like this. It's unusual because it's very easy to identify the car."

V Cars is made up of what used to be Millenium taxis, Link and A-B.

A spokesman for Swindon police said: "An allegation has been reported in relation to this. It was investigated and subsequently no further action was taken because it was unsubstantiated."

Richard Freeman, spokesman for Swindon Council, said taxi drivers get their licences renewed every year and anyone with a conviction for assault would lose their taxi licence.

charges. V Cars director John Gardner said the company was astonished and solicitors were dealing with the matter.

"We have been told by the police that they investigated the allegations and found they were completely unsubstantiated," he said.

"We take any complaint against staff very seriously, but in this case clearly the allegations against the driver were completely unfounded.

"We were astonished to discover that WH Smith have apparently sent an email to their employees stating that one of their staff had been assaulted by one of our drivers, and because of that we have put the matter in the hands of our solicitors."

It is understood the email has been passed by WH Smith workers to friends at other firms in the town.

Mr Gardner said: "We have been overwhelmed by the number of people in all sections of the business community who have rung us up today to tell us about the email, condemn it and offer us their support," he said.

The email to staff is titled "Important notice re taxi firms." It reads: "We understand that one of our employees has been attacked and robbed by a V Cars taxi driver who had been pre-booked by telephone.

"We have taken steps to remove their account and instructed Reception and Security to use United taxis instead. However, there are still V Cars taxis turning up that are being booked by other means.

"In the interests of personal safety, we would strongly advise that you no longer use V Cars and use United instead.

"We have placed cards in reception for your convenience.

"The police are aware of the incident and are currently investigating."

A spokeswoman for WH Smith confirmed: "Our preferred taxi company is now United.

"I haven't got any further details at this stage because it is a police matter and they are investigating it."

Ramin Pahlavan, one of the owners of United, which has now been given the account for WH Smith, said: "Of course I am shocked to hear allegations like this. It's unusual because it's very easy to identify the car."

V Cars is made up of what used to be Millennium taxis, Link and A-B.

A spokesman for Swindon police said: "An allegation has been reported in relation to this. It was investigated and no further action was taken because it was unsubstantiated."

Swindon Council spokesman Richard Freeman said taxi drivers get their licences renewed every year and anyone with a conviction for assault would lose their taxi licence.