RE: ARGUS report 21/4/2017 “Drivers could boycott ‘high crime’ city areas.”

I am shocked and concerned that Beechwood is one of three areas in Newport that Dragon and Roman taxi drivers are considering boycotting because they consider them to be “high crime” areas.

I have lived on Beaufort Road (which for electoral purposes is now classed as being within the Beechwood Ward but I think most residents like myself think it should still be known as St Julians) for over 30 years. 
This area has always been considered to be one of the respectable areas in Newport. These taxi drivers should not be tarring all Beechwood residents with the same brush.

I contacted both taxi firms to ask them to be more specific about the Beechwood area that is causing them concern. Roman taxis told me that it is an area on Chepstow Road that is closer to Somerton than Beechwood and blamed the Argus for the error. Dragon taxis suggested that I contact local police and NCC.

According to UK Crime stats.com, crime rates for January 2017 are higher in the NP20 area of Newport than they are in the NP19 area which includes Beechwood.

The report states that this issue was brought up at a meeting of the Newport Private Hire Drivers Association in January. Why is the Argus reporting this four months later?

The decent residents of Beechwood deserve an apology for the bad impression that this report has given of the area as a whole.

Lindsey Hayes
Beaufort Road
Newport