Leamington Spa, Warwickshire — An Uber driver was reportedly assaulted in a racially charged incident late Friday night, according to local authorities and the driver’s own account. Mohammed Hamza Malik, the driver, was allegedly attacked by passengers during a ride that took a violent turn when they demanded to change their destination.
The altercation occurred around 9 p.m., October 18, when Malik picked up a man and woman from a location in Leamington Spa. What began as a routine trip escalated quickly when the passengers requested to be dropped off at a different location than originally agreed upon in the ride-hailing app.
Malik recounted that initially, the passengers were openly rude, but he chose to ignore their comments to avoid confrontation. As the journey neared its end, tension escalated after Malik informed them that he could only drop them off at the location specified in the app. This response seemingly provoked the male passenger, who began to verbally abuse Malik, using derogatory language and becoming increasingly aggressive.
The situation deteriorated rapidly when the man seized Malik’s phone and exited the vehicle, goading Malik to fight, using racially offensive language. Malik followed at a safe distance in an attempt to retrieve his phone. The confrontation reached its peak in a nearby alleyway where the male passenger punched Malik through the car window, struck him multiple times, and manipulated the car’s steering causing it to crash into a fence.
Warwickshire Police were alerted to the incident on Oakridge Road at approximately 9:30 p.m. Despite their quick response, the assailants had fled the scene, leaving Malik with significant injuries and a damaged vehicle.
The police have begun an investigation and are appealing for witnesses to come forward to assist with the case, citing Incident 364 of October 18. They are particularly interested in gathering any details that bystanders can provide that may lead to the identification and apprehension of the suspects.
Malik, who suffered considerable facial injuries and was left with a damaged vehicle, expressed his distress over the incident. He told a local news outlet about his physical pain and the inability to work due to the car’s condition, emphasizing the brutality of the attack. Malik mentioned he is primarily concerned about his young son, who is confused and distressed about the incident.
“This job is my livelihood for supporting my family,” Malik said, expressing hope that the police will catch the perpetrators. “I didn’t sign up to be attacked and left bloodied.”
This attack highlights the risks rideshare drivers face and raises concerns about the adequacy of existing protective measures for gig economy workers. As gig work becomes more prevalent, incidents like these underscore the potential hazards faced by those in service-based platforms.
Community leaders and local advocacy groups have called for more stringent measures to protect rideshare drivers, including better screening of riders and more robust support systems from rideshare companies. The incident has sparked discussions on social media about the safety of gig workers and the need for regulations that ensure their protection.