Emergency bandages not in new Oxford electric taxis

Black cabs in Oxford received military-grade emergency bandages that can help prevent someone from bleeding to death in a mass handout in 2021.

However, the secretary of the City of Oxford Licensed Taxicab Association Sajad Shan said a “significant number” of cab drivers in new electric vehicles are now without the bandages.

The Oxford Mail met with Uffington-based charity Rapaid Emergency Bandages to hand out the first packs to the new electric fleet of taxis.

Rapaid displays were put in the window of taxis to show the public or emergency services they could flag them down and utilise the kit in the event of a trauma or major incident including knife crime.

The bandages are the same as what founder Alex Chivers, a former Wiltshire Police firearms officer and veteran, used to carry around in the army while in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He said: “Knife crime is becoming more prevalent, it is going through the ceiling.

“It seems to be everywhere. As a charity, we donate the kits for free. If they use the kit and give it they contact us and we know when they are used.”

Taxis are used as they know the area and hotspots and are on the road all day and night, he continued.

Mr Chivers added taxi drivers have “seen it all and know how quickly something can go horribly wrong”.

He said: “Taxis are in and out of our communities day and night. They know all the hotspots, the high street. They are everywhere.

“The grime fact is that you can bleed to death in under 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” to be used in the  “first five golden minutes when you can bleed to death”.

Now we are calling for a mass operation to ensure all taxis in Oxford carry one of these crucial packs.

It comes after a sequence of knife crime incidents in the city including the death of Tobias Burce saw this paper launch its anti-knife campaign.

The head of the City of Oxford Licensed Taxicab Association Sajad Shan said the availability of these bandages is more important now due to the “sad reality of the increase of knife crime”.

He added the bandages could be “decisive in the matter of life and death”.

Mr Khan said: “Our cabs are on the road 24/7. In the unfortunate event of a serious medical emergency, the Cab can be flagged by any member of the public to provide the bandages before the emergency services arrive.

“Cab drivers are very proud to be supporting this initiative. Our cabs are in and out of key locations across Oxford both day and night.

“We can be found outside bars and clubs where very often serious accidents can occur.

“We will be carrying these bandages for the public and supporting Rapaid to help bolster and support community safety.

“We’re waiting on Rapaid to provide all of our fleet with these bandages. A significant number of our drivers have changed their cabs to electric and would require these bandages as soon as possible.”

The Oxford Mail approached Oxford City Council on the Rapaid Emergency Bandages and its use in taxis in the city.

The city council responded by saying if Rapaid is looking to roll out the emergency bandages they would "welcome" them to contact the taxi licensing department.