Police reports have revealed the threats, verbal abuse and attacks the city's taxi drivers are subject to while at work.
Norfolk Constabulary has, in a Freedom of Information request, released a sample of call-outs to taxi drivers, with many involving racial abuse, threats and physical violence - including one which saw a driver assaulted by a group of men.
In another, in the Dereham Road area, a man refused to pay his fare, instead punching the vehicle and 'picking up a wrench' before waving it above the driver's head, threatening to hurt him.
Paul Harlow, of Norwich-based firm Courtesy Taxis, has been a controller - organising drivers' calls - and driver for 12 years.
He said during that time he'd experienced two 'major incidents' - in one, he was strangled with his seatbelt by a passenger in the back and, in the other, a passenger said he had a knife and started stabbing his headrest.
'In the first one I drove really fast and then slammed on the brakes to stop the car, so it loosened it,' he said. 'It's all I could think to do. I don't know whether the second man actually had a knife, or whether he was just punching the back of the headrest, but I offered to get out and talk to him and when he got out I managed to drive off.'
Mr Harlow, who said most of the incidents were alcohol-related and took place late at night over the weekend, said certain incidents were 'part and parcel' of the job, but it was about knowing how to handle disruptive passengers.
'It's a shame it is that way, but I always tell them I'm trying to earn a living and that I just want to get them home safe. Nine times out of 10 they are fine, but once in a blue moon people do react. I know some drivers might be tempted to argue it but it's just not worth it in many cases.'
Norwich taxi drivers who responded, anonymously, to the call-outs on an Evening News online survey gave their accounts of abuse.
One woman said: 'As a lady driver I have suffered several incidents of sexual harassment from customers, including being offered money for sex. I've also had abuse regarding my weight and looks.'
Another said he had been 'punched in the head four times' and had a knife put to his face.
A spokesperson for Norfolk police said: 'Norfolk Constabulary will not tolerate any abuse or violence towards any member of the community and will investigate any reports of any such crime and seek prosecutions where we can.'
• Do you have a crime story? Email crime correspondent Peter Walsh on peter.walsh@archant.co.uk
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