Taxis attacked with homemade weapons

A Hedland taxi driver has threatened to blacklist troublesome streets following a recent spate of rock attacks.

Carlindie Cabs driver Kemal Abdella said taxis were being targeted by local children with gings and slingshots, causing damage to at least a couple of vehicles each month.

Mr Abdella said he was the victim of a rock attack that shattered his back window as recently as Thursday afternoon.

He said when he heard the rock smash through into the back seat of his mini-van he immediately asked his customer to pay so he could give chase.

“I was very shocked because it had just happened to my friend about two days ago, he lost two windows so that makes it three for the week,” he said.

“It’s going to cost me $500-plus to fix my window.”

Mr Abdella said other drivers were prepared to join him in boycotting certain areas because they could not afford to continually fix the damage caused by rock attacks.

“It also costs us when we have to stop driving for a couple of days to actually replace the window,” he said. “It is very concerning to drive in that area now because you’re not sure what will happen.”

South Hedland police Sergeant Phil Baskerville said officers were in the area at the time of the alleged attack last week and a group of juveniles were stopped and questioned.

However, Sgt Baskerville said the youths were found to not be carrying gings or slingshots so there was no evidence to suggest they were involved in breaking the window.

He said officers would continue to watch out for kids carrying homemade weapons.