A vicious attack on two men in a queue for a taxi has forced bosses to employ door staff at weekends for the first time.

Police are still investigating the incident, which happened at Sapphire Cars in Medway Street, Maidstone, in the early hours of Sunday, August 10.

The attacker approached people in the queue to get them to swap places with him so he could get an earlier ride home.

He then assaulted two 25-year-old men, knocking them both unconscious.

As a direct result, firm owner Mark Jones has employed two licensed door staff to work between midnight and 4am on Saturdays and Sundays.

He said: “We have two female controllers at night, and after that happened, they didn’t feel safe, and I didn’t like leaving them on their own.

“There is more trouble these days. People are drunk, and other substances may be involved.

“It’s the times we are living in.”

“There is more trouble these days. People are drunk, and other substances may be involved. It’s the times we are living in” - Mark Jones

The company often has up to 50 people in its office awaiting a ride in the early hours of Saturday and Sunday mornings and issues tickets to customers.

It is hoped the introduction of the bouncers will ensure queues are orderly.

Mr Jones said he was happy to make it a permanent move, despite the extra cost.

He told the KM: “Our girls feels much better, knowing that there is someone there.

“The guys are very helpful. It is worth it for staff security and customer security.

“I want to reassure customers I am doing the best I can for them.”

Mr Jones had recently introduced eight CCTV cameras that captured images of the attack, which are now with police.

A police spokesman said: “Police are currently investigating an assault in the early hours of 10 August in Medway Street in Maidstone. Two 25-year-old men were assaulted.

“Police inquiries into the incident are currently ongoing.”

The suspect is described as black, of heavy build, aged 25-30, with short hair, blue jeans, and was shirtless at the time.

Maidstone discontinued a popular taxi marshals scheme, which operated at the King Street taxi rank on Saturday nights, in March when funding could not be found.