CABBIES in Bolton have warned that someone could die if vandalism from yobs doesn’t stop hurling missiles at taxis.

Children as young as 10 have been throwing eggs, stones and bricks at drivers from Metro Taxis in Bolton, while they have been driving.

This has resulted in smashed windows, and damaged vehicles that has cost them a huge amount of money to repair.

Drivers at the taxi firm say this has been ongoing for a few years, but has continued to get worse.

They say they are experiencing this every week at the moment, and feel their concerns are ‘falling on deaf ears’.

Nick Astley, owner of Bolton-based Metro Taxis, said: “It’s not just about making people aware about the issue, it’s about making sure people are safe.

“These kids think it’s a bit of a game, but someone is going to get killed.

“When someone dies, and they will die, it’s only a matter of time, what will happen then?”

Drivers were also equally concerned about the risk for passengers using the service.

Yasif Khan, chairman of the private hire association in Bolton, added: “It’s got to a point where we’re going to have to stop working for a few days and go on strike if this doesn’t improve.

“We don’t want to do this, but we have to do something. It shouldn’t have to get to that point.”

Bosses at the taxi firm say there was already an issue with staff shortages and this could make the situation worse.

Mr Astley said they have had meetings with the council and police, but don’t feel as though they are being listened to.

He added: “We are really upset and annoyed. We want our voices to be heard.”

Vice chair of the private hire association, Mahmood Akhtar, explained how important it was to raise this issue with the local schools, and the parents of the children.

Mr Akhtar said: “Kids are targeting us after school, so it’s important that schools and parents are involved in this.

“This is our last resort now because we have had enough.”

Mr Khan added: “There will also be parents getting taxis to appointments and to go to work, so if we went on strike this would also affect them.

“We don’t want to cause problems, we just want help.”