Black cabs in Oxford have been given military-grade emergency bandages that can help stop someone bleeding out during a mass distribution in 2021.
However, Oxford City Licensed Taxi Association secretary Sajad Shan said a “significant number” of taxi drivers in new electric vehicles were now no longer wearing bandages.
The Oxford Mail met with Uffington-based charity Rapaid Emergency Bandages to distribute the first packs to the new electric taxi fleet.
Rapaid displays were placed in taxi windows to show the public or emergency services that they could report them and use the kit in the event of a trauma or major incident, including knife crime.
The bandages are the same ones that founder Alex Chivers, a former firearms officer and veteran of Wiltshire Police, used to carry in the army when he was in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He said: “Knife crime is becoming more and more prevalent, it is reaching new heights.
“It seems like they’re everywhere. As a charity we give away the kits for free. If they use the kit and donate it, they contact us and we know when they are used.
Taxis are used because they know the area and hot spots and are on the road all day and night, he continued.
Mr Chivers added that taxi drivers have “seen it all and know how quickly something can go wrong”.
He said: “Taxis travel in and out of our communities day and night. They know all the hot spots, the main street. They are everywhere.
“The fact is that you can bleed out in less than five minutes. So, the sooner direct pressure is applied and treatment begins, the better your chances of survival.”
-They are designed to be “quick and simple” for use in the “first five golden minutes of bleeding out.”
We are now calling for a mass operation to ensure all taxis in Oxford carry one of these essential packs.
It follows a series of knife crime incidents in the city, including the death of Tobias Burce, which saw this newspaper launch its anti-knife campaign.
Oxford City Licensed Taxi Association chairman Sajad Shan said the availability of these bandages is now greater due to the “sad reality of rising knife crime”.
He added that the bandages could be “decisive in matters of life and death.”
Mr Khan said: “Our taxis are on the road 24/7. In the unfortunate event of a serious medical emergency, the taxi can be flagged down by any member of the public to provide the bandages before emergency services arrive.
“Taxi drivers are very proud to support this initiative. Our taxis travel in and out of key locations in Oxford day or night.
“We are present outside bars and clubs where serious accidents can very often occur.
“We will bring these bandages to the public and support Rapaid to help strengthen and support community safety.
“We are waiting for Rapaid to supply these bandages to our entire fleet. A significant number of our drivers have changed their cabs to electric cabs and would need these bandages ASAP.
The Oxford Mail contacted Oxford City Council about Rapaid emergency bandages and their use in the city’s taxis.
The city council responded by saying that if Rapaid considered deploying the emergency bandages it would “invite” them to contact the taxi licensing department.
