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Hundreds of Plymouth taxi drivers trained as child abuse 'spies'



More than 300 Plymouth taxi drivers trained to help spot exploitation of children

More than 300 Plymouth taxi drivers have been trained in how to spot the signs of child abuse, trafficking and sexual exploitation after council chiefs launched a new initiative.

The scheme, praised by children's charity NSPCC, sees taxi drivers given training about vulnerable passengers who may be at risk of abuse and exploitation.

Councillor John Riley, Plymouth City Council's cabinet member for responsible for governance and licensing said: "We're really pleased with how well the child sexual exploitation awareness training programme for our hackney carriage, private hire drivers and operators has been received.

"Since its launch last November, just over 300 drivers have now attended, this is roughly 25 percent of our licensed drivers which is fantastic news.

"We will continue to offer this training to all our drivers as we know that given the nature of their work they are likely to come across vulnerable passengers that may be at risk of abuse or exploitation.

"The next courses will be held in September and I would urge any drivers who haven't yet taken the course to contact the Taxi Licensing Team on 01752304141 for more information."

A similar scheme recently piloted by South Hams District Council received praise by the NSPCC who said they welcomed the initiative and hoped more councils across the country would follow suit.

Previous safeguarding courses held by South Hams council at the beginning of the year were attended by 51 drivers and have led to at least three reports to safeguarding agencies as a direct result of the training.

Sarah Allum, the NSPCC's Plymouth service manager, said: "There is no fixed model of trafficking, and vulnerable children can be targeted by abusive adults around them. Traffickers can be parents or extended family members, organised criminal gangs or individuals – men or women.

"Children experience multiple types of abuse in the process of being trafficked. They are highly vulnerable to physical abuse, suffer emotional and psychological harm, are neglected and sometimes sexually abused prior to being exploited in the destination country."

Anyone with concerns about the welfare of a child can call the NSPCC's adult helpline 24/7 for free on 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk. Help for children and young people is available through ChildLine on 0800 1111."

What to look for

The NSPCC said grooming and sexual exploitation can be very difficult to identify. Warning signs can easily be mistaken for 'normal' teenage behaviour and/or development. However, parents, carers, school teachers and professionals are advised to be alert to the following signs and symptoms:
•Inappropriate sexual or sexualised behaviour towards other children and young people
•Repeat sexually transmitted infections; in girls repeat pregnancy, abortions, miscarriage
•Having unaffordable new things (clothes, mobile) or expensive habits (alcohol, drugs)
•Going to hotels or other unusual locations to meet friends
•Getting in/out of different cars driven by unknown adults
•Going missing from home or care
•Having older boyfriends or girlfriends
•Associating with other young people involved in sexual exploitation
•Truancy, exclusion, disengagement with school, opting out of education altogether
•Unexplained changes in behaviour or personality (chaotic, aggressive, sexual)
•Drug or alcohol misuse or both
•Getting involved in crime
•Injuries from physical assault, physical restraint, sexual assault
•Changes in physical appearance
•Evidence of sexual bullying and /or vulnerability through the internet and/or social networking sites
•Estranged from their family
•Receipts of gifts from unknown sources
•Recruiting others into exploitative situations
•Poor mental health
•Self-harm
•Thoughts of or attempted suicide
•Depression
•Low self-esteem


Read more: http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/hundred ... z4BsE7N04W

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Is it just me that thinks the term 'spies' is derogatory?

I much prefer the term 'trained observers'.

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IDFIMH

I think spies is the right word after all Chris the fish and all the other Plymouth drivers are now unpaid volunteer social workers spying on children on behalf of paid social workers so they don't have to. At least I think Chris mentioned he was doing the course

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

I did the "course", what a load of cr4p it was.

For 14 years I have been driving a cab. I have never seen something suspicious on the CSE front. I have carted shoplifters around to their fence, then on to their dealer. I have taken dealers round their delivery routes. I have witnessed road accidents, fights and even helped two Police Officers who were about to release a miscreant they were trying to arrest because they were getting pasted. I have called the Police, they are never interested.

The "course" told me I could call 999 or, if not urgent, 101 (it better not be urgent as it takes 10 to 15 minutes to get an answer!). They also provided the Council number, which I had anyway. All in all, 2 hours of my life that I will never get back, and, I learnt sweet FA!

Ticks in boxes to cover the a55es of salaried LA staff.

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Chris The Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdlyi5mc ... re=related