Man Making Citizen Arrests of UberX Drivers in Sydney

SMH:Vigilante hire car driver's citizen's arrest of UberX driver
3AW:Man commits to making 10 citizens arrests this week

I've heard of taxi commissions fining drivers but this is the first I've heard of a citizen making an arrest of drivers. The guy's website

Mr Howarth made his first citizens arrest last week, by setting up an UberX driver with a box in the back of his car.

“I said can you get the box out of the back for me please, he jumped down the back,” he explained.

“As I informed him I was performing a citizen’s arrest and I explained why.

“On this occasion the strong verbal communication was enough.”

If there is physical resistance from the person he is making the arrest on, Mr Howarth isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty either.

“If someone resists arrest then absolutely you have to use whatever force that is necessary to apprehend them and bring them before the justice system.”

This is a recipe for disaster. And what about the driver:

Newtown police said that the UberX driver had the correct credentials.

"Police checks revealed that the driver was driving a registered vehicle and was properly licensed, meaning no further police action was taken."

Uber claims it's a publicity stunt. Uber has paid the fines of UberX drivers however I think putting out a fear of someone arresting you has got to be a bit worrysome for drivers.

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Comments

  • +10

    "The former British riot police officer claims that he executed his first citizen's arrest of an "unlicensed UberX driver" on Thursday. “If someone resists arrest then absolutely you have to use whatever force that is necessary to apprehend them and bring them before the justice system.”"

    He sounds like a Major. D*ckhead

  • I am definitely not a legal advisor or anything but if he ask the UberX driver to take him to the police station, doesn't that mean that he used the UberX service? Wouldn't that make him an accomplice to the offending act?

    • +1

      Why would riding in an unlicensed Taxi be an offence.

      • When he admitted to driving a hire car illegally, I informed him I was a private citizen and that I was affecting a citizen's arrest. I told him to take me to Newtown police station.

        His reason for arrest was because he (supposed UberX driver) was driving a hired car illegally. Riding in it would mean that he allowed him (supposed UberX driver) to drive a hired car illegally. Right?

        • Which makes you wonder why not the following.

          Driver -

          you are arresting me! Then you arrange the transport to Newtown police station as it's illegal for me to drive you…

        • @RockyRaccoon:

          Yeah, that's what should have happened if it was me or at least after taking him to the station, I'd tell the officer he was my accomplice to the illegal act…

  • He is walking a fine line since the legality of Uber X has not been tested in a court of law

  • "Take me to the police station for false imprisonment!"

  • He is just mad because all these unlicensed drivers are taking away his customer base (he is a licenced chauffeur) …U maddddd bro? Lol

    • He has made a good case for better screening of licenced chauffeurs.

  • Tax is definitely an issue..
    But other than that, Uber has been great.

  • "Officer, this man took me for a ride!"

  • Guys to tell the truth 99% Taxi drivers don't pay Tax and Government knows that i really hate the hypocrisy of this Taxi and Hire Car Industry and Government. All of them know that no Taxi drivers end of the year when they have to file for GST return to Gorvernment shows themselves making money. They all shows they are gone in loss instead of making money. Just ask some of the accountants if you know some one the truth about the Taxi Drivers.

    And ask a question how come Taxi Drivers able to make such money that they pay for their houses in Cash and own not only 1 or at least 2 houses by driving taxis for only 5-10 years.

    There are serious misconduct in Taxi Industry, Hire Car Industry and Government also.

  • A Taxi Driver easily makes 1200-1500 $ by driving Taxi from 3-4 Days Only but need to mention they drive straight for 12 hours a shift and 4 shifts of 12 hours in 36 hours they make such money each week after all the expenses.

    • 1500 per week working 36~48 hours isnt too bad without the tax.

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