Overhaul for taxi licensingChanges are to be implemented to the taxi driver licensing system in Swindon after an external report raised concerns about the risk of child sex abuse.
While no direct or immediate risk to passengers was identified, many drivers who are responsible for carrying children have not had a criminal record check for more than three years.
The report, commissioned by the council’s audit committee, said checking only when licences were first issued posed a ‘serious risk’ and was contrary to best practice guidelines.
As a result, hundreds of drivers who have not been checked for more than three years have been asked to agree measures to have them checked again.
A council spokesman said: “Following issues highlighted by cases around the UK and most recently in Rotherham, we looked in detail at our processes for licensing taxi drivers.
“While the vast majority of drivers are trustworthy, reliable people it is clear the council needed to change its licensing requirements to give the public the maximum possible confidence in the drivers they hire.
“The council will now check the criminal records of all licensed drivers every three years, as Department for Transport guidelines recommend, rather than only when they first apply for a licence.
“Letters have been sent to more than 600 drivers who have not been checked in the past three years to ask them to agree to one, and measures are in place to ensure these checks are carried out as soon as possible.
“The council will fund this cost itself as a one-off, although subsequent checks, when due, will be at the applicants’ expense.”
Although the council’s checks have not been regular, a system has been in place to make sure it is highlighted if drivers do get a criminal record.
The spokesman added: “It is important to recognise that criminal records checks are only effective if the individual driver has known offences for which they have been cautioned or convicted.
“This is why the council has in the past, and will continue to, worked closely with the police and driver community in sharing intelligence. This has a proven track record in flagging up concerns.
“For example, the council is automatically alerted by the police if a known driver is involved in any criminal activity, as taxi and private hire drivers have a ‘notifiable’ occupation which triggers notification from the police of any cautions, arrests or convictions.
“In addition we operate a successful taxi forum, consisting of representatives from the trade, which acts as the ‘eyes and ears’ of the service in Swindon.
The report also drew attention to issues such as inefficiency of licence payment systems and storage of taxi drivers’ data.
source:
http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/news/1 ... licensing/
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