Taxi Driver Online

Not much here on the taxi angle, but just interesting that it's yet another thing drivers are supposed to be looking out for

And another headline guaranteed to annoy some readers on here, but suspect 'taxi drivers' was meant to read 'bus drivers'

Cabbies and taxi drivers help spot signs of 'county lines' gangs

https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/ ... nes-gangs/

TAXI drivers and staff working for train companies have been asked to keep an eye out for vulnerable children who may have fallen victim to violent drugs gangs.

As reported in the Daily Echo, reports of brutality connected to such gangs are spiralling in Dorset. A shooting and a mutilation are among the horrors reported over the past year as dealers from London and Liverpool push heroin and cocaine in our towns.

Now cabbies and bus drivers have been asked to help spot the signs of criminal exploitation.

Superintendent Caroline Naughton said: “Young, vulnerable people are often transported across our counties using public transport including trains, buses or private hire taxis.

“We are asking taxi drivers, rail staff and bus company staff to spot the signs of county lines exploitation and look out for these vulnerable young people.

"If they spot anything which makes them suspicious, such as children travelling alone on public transport, possibly during school hours, or being unfamiliar with the local area, they should report it to us.”

Gangs operate so-called 'county lines' in Dorset. The practice sees gangs from large cities use dedicated phone lines to supply drugs to smaller towns.

The issue is an increasing concern in the county, with many neighbourhood policing teams listing it as one of their top three priorities.

"It is a problem which ruins lives. Not only does it bring the scourge of drug dealing into our towns, but the gangs who operate these networks are absolutely ruthless in the way they exploit young and vulnerable people," he said.

“It’s a growing problem, and one the police simply cannot tackle on their own. We need the support of everyone who cares about our communities, and that’s why we’re asking members of the public to be our eyes and ears and to contact the police if they see anything that doesn’t look right.

“The information they provide could help bring gang members to justice and turn around the lives of those young people they have coerced into working for them.”

Some of the signs of 'county lines' involvement and exploitation are:

• A child or young person going missing from school or home or significant changes in emotional well-being

• A person meeting unfamiliar adults or a change to their behaviour

• The use of drugs and alcohol

• Acquiring money or expensive gifts they can’t account for

• Lone children from outside of the area

• Individuals with multiple mobile phones, tablets or ‘SIM cards’

• Young people with more money, expensive clothing, or accessories than they can account for

• Unknown or suspicious looking characters coming and going from a neighbour’s house

• Relationships with controlling or older individuals or associations with gangs

• Suspicion of self-harm, physical assault or unexplained injuries

Those who have concerns are asked to "trust their instincts" and report suspicions to police online or by calling 101.

What we need from those that are requesting we look out for drugs mules, for slavery matters, for child exploitation issues, and for any of the umpteen other requests, is that the police also back us up when we are in the s***.

Nothing more, nothing less.

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IDFIMH