TAXI drivers say they will strike over plans to make them put large door stickers on the side of their cabs.

This follows a decision to refuse taxi driver Abdul Rauf, of Lindsay Avenue, High Wycombe, an application for renewal of his Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence.

A total of 16 taxi drivers turned out in support of Mr Rauf, a Hackney cab driver of 16 years, at a meeting of South Bucks District Council's licensing sub committee, at its offices in Denham tonight.

Mr Rauf had objected to the door stickers - which have been compulsory in the district since December last year - on the grounds that he could be robbed, attacked or even murdered.

Speaking at the hearing, Mr Rauf, who parks outside the Revolution bar in Maxwell Road, Beaconsfield, said: "My main reason is for health and safety. I believe the driver of the vehicle with the sign may be vulnerable to attack.

He added: "We are threatened if we use it for private purposes. The assumption is it carries money as well as passengers."

The assembled drivers heard that the scheme, which the council says helps mark out licensed vehicles, has been introduced or is being introduced in neighbouring districts, including Wycombe and the Chilterns.

In a written statement issued by the committee, it said: "The display of door stickers is considered justified on the grounds of the safety of the public at large and the sub committee feels it has a responsibility to make taxis clearly identifiable to reassure the public that vehicles are genuine and fully licensed."

Hackney Carriages are already required by law to display a roof sign and the requirement for the stickers has only recently been considered, it added.

Private hire driver Petro Nadasanu went to support Mr Rauf.

He said: "They are going to lose business because people in Beaconsfield want privacy. You go and pick people up from big hotels in London and are taking around celebrities who don't want to show off they are driving in a South Bucks Council car."

And Mamud Khan, a Hackney cab driver in Beaconsfield, said: "At 2am when you are drunk you are going to see the light, not the sticker."

Another taxi driver, who did not want to be named, added: "It will lead to a strike.

"The big problem is using the stickers with our family in the cab and people trying to stop us."

Mr Rauf said: "I do not want to comment as I have to respect the decision now."

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