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Taxi drivers to undergo training to spot child sex exploitation



LOCAL cabbies are set to be given training to help spot and report child sexual exploitation.

North East Lincolnshire Council officers have drawn up plans for all licensed hackney carriage and private hire trader drivers to be required to undertake the instruction and to display approved information about the campaign in their vehicles.

The Say Something If You See Something campaign would require cabbies to provide evidence that they have attended a briefing as soon as possible.

Council officers said a similar scheme had successfully been developed and delivered in Sheffield and provides advice, support and training to a number of industries.

A briefing note relating to the campaign stated: "The message is clear. If you see something that you are not happy with report it, and with training, here is how you do it."

Alongside the campaign runs a police authorised trigger plan, providing support to police call-takers in relation to what action is needed, when and by which officer.

All 628 existing holders of private hire and hackney carriage drivers' licences have passed a knowledge test, which examines their geographical knowledge of the area and have obtained a BTEC level 2 qualifications relating to their trade. They will now be required to complete the new course to retain their licence. New applicants will also be required to undertake the training.

Council papers said: "Due to the nature of their work, hackney carriage and private hire drivers have the potential to observe the signs of child sex exploitation (CSE) in a wide range of individuals.

"All drivers licensed by North East Lincolnshire Council currently have to achieve a specific BTEC level 2 qualification, which includes a general safeguarding module.

"However, to make best use of this potential, a plan has been developed to provide briefing sessions specifically related to CSE to all existing drivers licensed by North East Lincolnshire Council."

The council's Safeguarding Children's Board would organise a number of two-hour sessions free of charge in July and August under the new proposals.

It is proposed that all existing licensed drivers attend one of the sessions by September 30.

And from October, all taxi drivers will have to provide certified evidence that they have attended a session in order to renew their licence.

Portfolio holder for Safer and Stronger Communities, Councillor Hazel Chase said: "Our taxi drivers are in a unique position in that they travel around North East Lincolnshire daily.

"They could see something that makes them feel uneasy, that might be a child in the wrong company or a vulnerable adult, and this training is designed to make sure that taxi drivers know how to report anything which causes them concern.

"Safeguarding is everyone's business and this piece of work is part of a much wider CSE Strategy and awareness campaign which will be launched officially next month."

The council's Licensing And Community Protection Committee will decide upon the proposal at its next meeting on Wednesday, June 24.


Read more: http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/Taxi- ... z3daY1yC3y

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