‘Anything could happen’ Student in ‘taxi’ warning
I was very scared... they were acting like it was a taxi... I am just really glad I was able to get out of the car and they had not locked the door. I was so relieved
STUDENTS have been warned to be cautious after a first-year student at the University of Bristol fled after getting into a vehicle she at first believed to be a taxi.
The student had been at a relative’s house in Southville and had booked a taxi to go back to her Wills Hall residence.
But when she got into the back of the car, parked on Merrywood Road, she realised there were two men sitting in the front and there was no licence on show as there usually would be.
She then asked if the driver could stop at an ATM so she could get some cash out, before jumping out and making her own way home.
“They didn’t say anything about it not being my taxi,” said the 20-year-old, who didn’t want to be named.
“I was very nervous and scared. I was very confused and the thing that worried me the most is the fact that they did not say they were not a taxi. You think, where would they have taken me?
“I thought that was the taxi, they were acting like one – they were playing along, it was very strange.
“I am just really glad that I was able to get out of the car and they had not locked the door.
“I was so relieved.”
Avon and Somerset Police confirmed they had a call from a woman who had got into a car she believed to be a taxi ordered shortly beforehand.
The force said, after getting into the car and speaking with two male occupants, she realised something wasn’t right and quickly got out.
The student has warned others to be careful before getting into a vehicle, and to let friends and family know they are taking a taxi.
She continued: “Anything could have happened. I could have been kidnapped or sex-trafficked – they could have done anything to me.
“My mind was racing with all these scenarios of what could have happened.
“It was a gut instinct to get out.” The University of Bristol has said it was ‘concerned’ to hear about the incident, adding it was not aware of any other similar occurrences, but urged students to be vigilant and to report anything unusual or suspicious to the authorities.
A spokesperson for the University of Bristol said: “We were concerned to hear about this incident.
“We can confirm that the student reported this to Security Services and that the matter is now being handled by the police.
“We are not aware of any other similar occurrences however we do urge students to be vigilant and to report anything unusual or suspicious to the authorities.”
Avon and Somerset Police is urging anyone with information to come forward.
“Anyone with further information about this incident should contact 101, quoting log 1246 of 23 September.”
Avon and Somerset Police also has some advice on its website on how to keep yourself safe.