Taxi Driver Online

Not sure if it's a particular problem in the BCP area, but this one seems to crop up periodically.

But the stuff here is the very essence of the talking shop.

Surely not that difficult to actually address the problem directly, rather than sounding off about it in council committee meetings?


Bournemouth detectives warn of potentially dangerous new unofficial taxis

https://www.dorset.live/news/dorset-new ... us-6775956

Vulnerable women and men travelling alone should be particularly wary of new groups without a licence, officers say

Vulnerable women and men travelling on their own could be in serious danger by choosing to travel with unofficial new taxi groups operating in Bournemouth and Poole, police have warned.

Detectives from Bournemouth CID say drivers without a proper taxi licence could be targeting people at worst. And at best their vehicles could be in an unsafe condition.

Dorset Police is aware of new groups emerging on social media platforms in Bournemouth and Poole where drivers are operating unofficial taxi or lift services. Drivers with such services have not been vetted, as workers for licensed firms have.

Detective Constable Christian Bryant, of Bournemouth CID, warned arranging a lift with an unregulated taxi group was the same as getting into a complete stranger's vehicle.

He said: “Unlicensed drivers will not have undergone background checks, are unlikely to be insured to carry passengers in their vehicles which could be in a dangerous condition, and may be targeting lone and vulnerable men and women. We would urge the public not to use the services of people offering lifts on unofficial social media groups and instead book a lift with a licensed and reputable taxi company.

“There is an inherent risk in accepting lifts from strangers and most people wouldn’t dream of doing so, but for women travelling alone, getting into an unlicensed cab is just as risky as getting into the car of a complete stranger.”

Councillor Bobbie Dove, portfolio holder for Community Safety and Regulatory Services at BCP Council, added: “We would also advise that anyone getting in a car with someone that they don’t know to think again. You are putting your personal safety at risk as you do not know the background of the people you are getting into a car with, and you do not know how safe the car is.

“All licensed private hire and taxi drivers undergo regular criminal record checks and their cars are examined at accredited garages every six months to ensure they are safe.”

To report concerns or a crime you can contact Dorset Police via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.

Although to be fair to the pen-pushers, someone posted this, which could indicate why it's an ongoing problem, and not so easy to deal with:



Although maybe if they caught one or two and threw the book at them, that might help a bit