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East Lancashire taxi drivers' criminal convictions shock
CONVICTED criminals are being granted licences to drive taxis, a Lancashire Telegraph investigation has uncovered.
Offences such as selling an offensive weapon, fraud and being drunk and disorderly on East Lancashire drivers’ records.
And a licensing committee chairman revealed a murderer’s accomplice was granted a taxi licence.
Critics said it was ‘frightening’ that people with such convictions were able to get a job in which they would be left transporting lone passengers and children.
But taxi association bosses insisted the checks protected the public and claimed “out of touch” council committees were too tough on people asking for a licence.
Just Blackburn with Darwen and Pendle borough councils provided the details following a Freedom of Information request submitted by the Lancashire Telegraph.
Burnley, Ribble Valley and Hyndburn councils were unable to respond as they destroy the data once a criminal record check is carried out.
These councils have been criticised by an ‘astonished’ MP who said bosses should have to explain why the data was not held.
Rossendale Council confirmed it did hold the information but refused to provide it, citing the Data Protection Act.
Our investigation found: • Drivers in Blackburn with Darwen had five offences including careless driving, refusing to report an accident, fraud and using threatening and abusive language.
• Pendle Council provided information of 33 driving offences among its drivers, including speeding, drink driving and using a mobile phone. It also had a driver with a conviction for selling an offensive weapon to someone aged under 16 and another guilty of disorderly behaviour with intent to cause fear of provocation of violence.
Official guidance to councils from the Department for Transport says it is ultimately up to town hall licensing committees to regulate and licence taxis.
It advises that officials must strike a balance between keeping the public safe from potentially dangerous drivers and being too restrictive, which could cause a driver shortage, forcing customers to walk about alone at night.
But Coun Roy Davies, chairman of Blackburn with Darwen’s licensing sub committee, said the process needed ‘tightening up’.
He said: “It worries me that my wife goes out with friends and a taxi brings her back. If I don’t feel safe about my wife, why should anyone else?
“The frightening thing is the powers that be say it’s okay.”
Coun Davies claimed one applicant had been granted a licence despite a crime file that included “assisting a murderer”.
He added: “Sometimes I think to myself, ‘what if my wife or sister was coming home in this guy’s car?’
“In many cases, our hands are tied, and we have to grant it.”
Coun Mohammed Iqbal, leader of Labour group on Pendle Council and also on the taxi licensing sub-committee, said: “When a taxi driver has a criminal conviction, however old it is, we interview them before deciding whether to grant a licence and look at the merit for each one.
"If someone had a record for something serious we would not grant a licence.
"We may overlook it if they had a police caution or something similar but if it was something like rape or drink driving then there are no favours there for anyone.
"At the end of the day we have got to protect the people of Pendle."
Hyndburn MP Greg Pope said he was "astonished" Hyndburn Council destroyed criminal records details of its taxi drivers.
He said the council should explain itself and re-acquire the information.
Mr Pope said: “This is extraordinary. The travelling public need to have assurances that the people who are driving them are safe to be in the car with them.
"I am sure the vast majority of drivers are safe and reliable but it is worrying if the council doesn't have a record of who has a criminal record, especially when you think about women travelling alone in cabs."
Glenn Burdock, chairman of Rossendale taxi drivers’ association, said the guidelines were strict and added. “In my opinion they should give more licences than they do.
"We are not talking about dangerous offences.
"People in Rossendale can sleep safely in their beds: taxi drivers are very carefully vetted”.
Mohammed Younis, of Blackburn with Darwen Hackney Carriage Association, added: “This used to be an issue but they are very strict now.
“If they have a criminal record they won’t get a licence.
"If they go through a CRB check there’s nothing to worry about” .
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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin
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