Man killed in `clan warfare' over taxis

One man was stabbed to death and three others were injured during an outbreak of "clan warfare" yesterday between two rival groups in a Luton taxi firm. Fighting broke out near a taxi stand at about 11.45am in the town centre.

Within moments, more than 20 taxi drivers were involved in a pitched battle. Four people were taken to Luton and Dunstable hospital, but one, Shabir Khan, 32, was dead on arrival.

All those involved in the fight are believed to have been from Cabco, a consortium of drivers which form the town's largest taxi firm. Freeda Begum, the manager of Cabco, said: "There has been warfare going on between groups of drivers. They have been trying to get each other's business. I have been threatened."

Last night, a spokesman for Bedfordshire police said that they were still hunting Mr Khan's murderer.