Drivers of taxis in Reading have been told to hide their roof signs and plates out of fears that rioters could target them.

The Reading Private Hire Association (RPHA) represents more than 215 private hire taxi drivers in the town. 

Unlike cabs, officially known as hackney carriages, private hire drivers use a range of different vehicles and must be booked in advance. 

Drivers must also display roof signs and licence plates to distinguish them as taxis.

But now there are fears these identifying features could lead to drivers being targeted. 

In the recent disorder that has swept the country, there have been reports that taxi drivers have been singled out, with a case of violence being reported in Hull.

Kamran Saddiq, the chairman of the RPHA has requested that private hire drivers do not display their roof signs and licence plates until the national situation calms down.

Mr Saddiq said: "We are liaising very closely with Reading Borough Council and Thames Valley Police. 

"At the moment they are taking every precaution they can.

"Our safety concern is for our drivers and the trade.

"Locals and taxi drivers are being targeted. People are living in fear, they need to work.

"The best way forward until the dust settles is to remove the signs and plates. 

"Our customers have all got our apps, so when the driver picks the customer up, the customers have the driver's details.

"Until the dust settles, the taxis will appear as normal cars."

Mr Saddiq has stressed that the removal of signs and plates is only a temporary measure, and both will be reinstated once the national situation is calmed. 

Although sources are unclear, there is a rumour that the 'English Defence League' aims to cause trouble in Reading. 

The source of the claimed event is unclear. 

Mr Saddiq explained: "Messages get forwarded on social media that are coming to use. We are acting on what we receive.

"You can't take any risks."

Mr Saddiq is a long-time Reading resident, and said that the climate of fear over riots has never been present in the town. 

He said: "I was born in Reading, I've been here since 1978, I've never seen these tensions.

"Reading is multicultural, there are people of all different races, religions and backgrounds here.

"We've never had riots in our town. It's a close-knit community, that's the one thing we love.

"That's what our town is all about."

He went on to commend Thames Valley Police for its re-assurances.

Mr Saddiq said: "The police have acted brilliantly in Reading. 

"Us in the RPHA look after everybody, our customers and members of the public.

"These far-right thugs are never going to win.

"Everybody is sticking together here for all of the community, any colour, race and background.

"That's on behalf of the trade and all Muslim communities up and down the country."