Taxi Driver Online

Harrogate, 21 drivers have 68 convictions



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A Harrogate taxi association has reassured people after figures revealed that taxi drivers with criminal convictions are working in the district.

It was revealed that of the 100 new drivers licensed by Harrogate Borough Council in the past two years, 21 had 68 criminal convictions between them.

Richard Fieldman Leader of the Ripon and District Taxi Drivers Group said: “From a trade point of view I am quite confident there isn’t any issue regarding Harrogate Borough Council’s licensing.”

Garry Sadler-Simpson, former chair of Harrogate and District Taxi Association said: “Every driver now has to have an enhanced CRB check.

“These show everything, even a caution from shouting in the street, everything you have ever done has to be disclosed.”

Mr Fieldman agrees.

He said: “Taxi drivers must go thorough very rigorous CRB checks.

“There are not a lot of jobs out there that need a CRB check like this.

Mr Fieldman added: “It shows up everything on everyone going back to juvenile times.”

Around one fifth of those given a new license in the past two years had criminal convictions including one conviction for possession of a firearm; two for possessing other offensive weapons; seven for assault, including two causing actual bodily harm and two on police officers; one for supplying drugs and four for possession.

In addition more than a quarter of those licensed in the district had committed motoring offences including 23 convictions for speeding, six for driving without due care and attention and three for drink driving.

A spokesperson for Harrogate District Council said: “We look at the entire criminal history of all applicants regardless of whether they are spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

“This is done by requesting an enhanced CRB disclosure. This means that most of the offences listed will be very historical.

“It is not unusual to see offences dating back to the 60s and 70s when the applicants were much younger.”

Read more: http://mrblackcab.proboards.com/index.c ... z2RqfU073h

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

let me guess the council was more concerned with filling it's coffers than protecting the public. That said it depends a bit on what the convictions are for if its driving offences such as speeding or more serious criminal offences

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

I'm really not convinced the council should be giving this info out.

Would they give out all the criminal records for teachers and pen pushers?

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IDFIMH

Maybe someone should ask them. However, I doubt that a local authority would have any information on teachers.

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Grandad,

Some of us are Unitary.

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IDFIMH

How many schools in your area are still under the council control? Most around here are now academies and the academies do their own hiring and firing which includes the CRB checks.

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Grandad,

No because they are regarded as high status cabbies are seen as low status and Ph drivers as below them by most councillors but they are quick enough out with the begging bowl when it comes to getting cash off us

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

i find it strange council give badge to jessie james type i like to see names of drivers if they not british name then council fear race card if they are british council should no issue imo