TAXI drivers across Birmingham and the West Midlands will today (Thursday) hold a minute’s radio blackout in memory of murdered colleague Mohammed Arshad.

The 36-year-old father-of-three died a year ago today after being found with fatal stab wounds in Wast Hills Lane, Kings Norton.

Colleagues of the self employed taxi driver were today joining the silent tribute at ranks and offices across the region.

All radio contact to private hire cars and Hackney carriages will stop at 1pm today in memory of the devoted family man.

Drivers will also gather by their cars at ranks across the city to remember Mr Arshad, who died in hospital the day after he was found.

Former colleagues from A Cars in Birmingham where he worked are also due to lay a wreath.

Since the tragedy taxi drivers have been working with West Midlands Police and the seven main Community safety Partnerships in the region.

The result will be a pocket-sized Driver Safety Pack featuring personal safety advice, the first of its kind in the country.

The laminated pocket-sized booklet, due to be published in the autumn, will give advice on daily defect checks and a glossary of useful contact numbers.

It will also tell drivers how to spot the tell-tale signs of a difficult passenger and will give the ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ of the trade with guidance on customer care and driver training courses.

Shakeel Asghar, chairman of the Private Hire Association, said: “The minute’s silence on the radios will be a fitting tribute to Mohammed on this sad day.

“We hope the long term benefits of a safety booklet backed by West Midlands Police, councils and trade bodies will also leave a longer lasting legacy.”

The booklet and new information-sharing Taxi Watch in the pipeline are designed to safeguard the region’s 12,000 private hire and hackney cab drivers.

Gilbert Parsons, from the Association, said: “The website will feature all the safety advice in the booklet as well as a real-time portal for drivers to share information.

“The website and booklet will improve the customer care and image of our drivers and in turn help reduce crime. Hopefully it will lead to ongoing training across the country, initiated here in Birmingham.”

Chief Insp Mandy Platt, of West Midlands Police Local Policing Team, said: “Clearly our thoughts today are very much with Mr Arshad’s family.

“But it is equally important that his life will be remembered through the effects of the work being undertaken by his former colleagues in the West Midlands.”

Police have helped launch a monthly Taxi Reference Group to listen to and act on the views of the region’s drivers.

Force integration and cohesion officer Naveen Sharma, who has led the monthly forums, said: “These regular meetings have proved very useful in listening to and acting upon the concerns of drivers.

“We have thousands taxi drivers on our roads who will all be able to share information once the new website is up and running.”

A 28-year-old man charged with Mr Arshad's murder is due to face trial at Birmingham Crown Court in January.