Taxi Driver Online
http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/

South Tyneside taxi boss fears over ending of enhanced CRBs.
http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=16632		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Sussex [ Sat Apr 23, 2011 5:38 pm ]
Post subject:  South Tyneside taxi boss fears over ending of enhanced CRBs.
Taxi boss’s fear over checks on new cabbies

FEARS have been raised about drivers with criminal records obtaining taxi licences in South Tyneside. A borough taxi boss has raised concerns following the recent scrapping of enhanced criminal checks by South Tyneside Council.

The change concerns Bob Weetman, of North East Accessible Transport Ltd, based at Tedco Business Centre, Jarrow. He said: “The council has carried out these enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks for a number of years. “But because of Government rule changes, council officers no longer have to carry out these enhanced and more thorough checks.

“I think this could open the door to unwanted types gaining taxi-operating licences. For example, I think people need to know that the taxi driver dropping off a young woman late at night is a reputable person.”

Mr Weetman, who operates a 20-vehicle fleet, for disabled and elderly people, added: “Ideally, I would have liked the council to have maintained these enhanced criminal checks.” But council officials say all the necessary checks will still be carried out, particularly among those cabbies carrying vulnerable passengers.

A spokesman for South Tyneside Council said: “Taxis provide a valuable service, and the safety of both the passengers and their drivers is of paramount importance to us. The council has an extremely good relationship with the taxi trade, and carries out regular and rigorous checks on drivers and their vehicles to ensure that they maintain the highest standards.

“Anyone who applies to become a licensed taxi or private hire driver has to undergo a CRB check. “They must also pass a local knowledge test and be declared medically fit to drive by a doctor.

“In the past, we have carried out enhanced CRB checks on all applicants, but recently-issued Government guidance advises licensing authorities that they should only carry out a standard level of check.

“However, we continue to carry out enhanced CRB checks for all drivers who work, or propose to work, on contracts that involve the transportation of children or vulnerable adults.”
Author:  edders23 [ Sat Apr 23, 2011 5:53 pm ]
Post subject: 
1) Enhanced crb's will ONLY turn up information on UK born drivers and are totally innefective with recently arrived overseas drivers as they are unlikely to uncover offences committed abroad

2) once you have had an enhanced crb is it really neccessary to go to that level of expense on renewals as they only check for any fresh info over the last 3 years which should show up on a normal crb ?

So whats the big deal they are pretty inneffective much better to do an enhanced crb on first application and only allow non nationals from countries who will supply the information unless they have been resident in the UK for a period of time say 3 years
Author:  Sussex [ Sat Apr 23, 2011 5:58 pm ]
Post subject: 
The enhanced CRB can, depending on the whim of the local Chief Constable, show evidence of un-convicted wrong doings, which is why they should keep the enhanced check IMO.

What all this will lead to is for loads of drivers having to do both the standard and the enhanced checks. :sad:
Author:  captain cab [ Sun Apr 24, 2011 11:45 am ]
Post subject: 
Sussex wrote:
The enhanced CRB can, depending on the whim of the local Chief Constable, show evidence of un-convicted wrong doings, which is why they should keep the enhanced check IMO.

What all this will lead to is for loads of drivers having to do both the standard and the enhanced checks. :sad:


The main difference between a Standard and an Enhanced CRB disclosure is that the enhanced version involves a check on local police records as well as the Police National Computer. Where records contain information that may be relevant to the job which the applicant is being considered for, the Chief Officer of the relevant police force may release additional information for inclusion in the Enhanced CRB Disclosure. In some circumstances (usually to protect an ongoing police investigation), the additional information may be sent to the umbrella body which countersigns the CRB application but not revealed in the enhanced CRB disclosure to the applicant.

CC
Page 1 of 1 All times are UTC [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/