Taxi Driver Online

Council accused of failing to check school-run taxi drivers in new child abuse scandal


Children as young as five are alleged to have been targeted in South Ribble, Lancashire, The New Day reports

Children as young as five were “sexually exploited” by taxi ­drivers after a local council failed to run background checks, a new report claims.

Drivers in South Ribble, Lancashire, have been accused of violating children while ­carrying out council-funded school runs, according to an interim review of the licensing of hackney carriages and private hire vehicles by South Ribble Council.

The horrifying report – which bears troubling similarities to the Rotherham sex abuse scandal – claims children were being put at risk on their daily commute.

It classes the failure of ­authorities to vet 44 of its drivers as particularly severe, since a report into the Rotherham attacks had warned 1,400 victims were picked up by taxis from school and children’s homes.

The report – ordered by the Cabinet after a string of local government failings – details one shocking case involving a five-year-old girl whose family claim she is so disturbed she can no longer socialise with other children.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided the five-year-old victim was too young to give evidence – even though
the report noted that “police believed the driver had ­committed the offence”.

And for months the accused driver was allowed to keep his taxi licence until a few weeks ago when the girl’s family won a fight to make the council revoke it.

Two licensing officers who allegedly issued licences without checks have now been ­suspended in light of the report, but the victims’ families claim it is not enough.

The aunt of the five-year-old girl said: “My niece has been left totally traumatised.

“She’s gone back to wetting herself and sits alone in the ­playground during breaks.

“She told her mum this man had touched her inappropriately.

“He was on police bail but he kept his licence and was still driving around until a few weeks ago when the authority finally stepped in and revoked his licence.

“It’s an absolute disgrace.

“He’s been driving around picking up schoolchildren and all the while the council did nothing.”

In another incident, a 16 year old, who was taken to school as part of a contract with Lancashire County Council, feared she was going to be raped by a driver.

“It is claimed he propositioned the “vulnerable” teen but the council failed to revoke his licence.

The report reads: “Driver in case A transported a vulnerable 16-year-old girl as part of a school contract for Lancashire County Council.

A complaint was received by the county council that this driver made inappropriate ­sexualised remarks to the girl.

“The driver in case B was arrested for a sexual offence against a primary school age girl.

“The CPS decided not to ­proceed with prosecution against the driver because of potential difficulties in such a young ­witness giving evidence.

“However, police have been clear that they consider the driver did commit the offence.

“It is reasonable to assume the driver poses a safeguarding risk.”

Yet licensing officers tasked with investigating the alleged abuses failed to take action and didn’t interview the drivers “under caution” or take ­statements from the witnesses. Instead, their report states, they appeared to allow the police investigation to “lead their own”.

It also states no “significant data sharing” took place between the Tory-led South Ribble Borough Council and police.

And a handwritten note by the 16 year old “expressing fears of being raped by the driver” was present in a paper file but never presented to the General Licensing Committee.

Lawyers brought in to carry out the independent review, said they had spoken to a number of council officers and examined documents.

The report also found ­“inadequate appreciation” of the council’s duty to protect children and members of public who use taxis.

South Ribble’s statement

In a formal statement, South Ribble Borough Council said: “We are currently investigating a number of issues within the licensing section.

“The council takes matters of public safety extremely seriously and we are currently undertaking a full review of all taxi licences, including drivers and vehicles.

“Where issues have been highlighted, these have been rectified without incident.

“Two licensing officers are currently suspended subject to ongoing disciplinary proceedings.

“We continue to operate a full licensing service in the meantime.

“An independent investigation is ongoing and will be published in due course.

“We are unable to comment further at this stage.”

'Covering the initial issue gets you in a mess'

South Ribble councillor Matthew Tomlinson, who is also a Lancashire County Councillor and Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools, said he was “appalled” by the report.

He said: “If something goes wrong with regard to child safeguarding you should throw the doors open and say, ‘My God, this is terrible’ and ‘We need help,’ but this looks as if the council has tried to bury it for as long as it possibly could. Trying to cover the initial issue is what gets you in a mess.

“We all must look at what’s happened in other places like Rotherham and be vigilant that it’s not happening on our doorstep, but it appears South Ribble has failed in that respect.

“I was only made aware of this interim report at the end of last week from colleagues at South Ribble and, as far as I’m aware, as a County Council we still haven’t officially been told about the difficulties.

“I’ve heard everything second-hand.”

Revelations a reminder of Rotherham

Is Rotherham repeating itself? The latest revelations are particularly chilling in light of the widespread sexual abuse that occurred in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, between 1997 and 2013.

Then, the local council, police and other authorities effectively covered-up the sexual exploitation of an estimated 1,400 children, mainly by men of Pakistani-Muslim heritage – many of them were taxi drivers.

Local investigations began into alleged abuse in 1999, but reports were lost, stolen, never finished or made public.

The Home Affairs Select Committee later slammed the handling of the hundreds of cases of rape, abduction, sex trafficking and torture of young people. Home Secretary Theresa May blamed the failures on “institutionalised political correctness”.

The leader of Rotherham Borough Council, Roger Stone, resigned, as did the council’s Chief Executive, Martin Kimber, and the Director of Children’s Services, Joyce Thacker.

Around 25 taxi drivers lost their licences over fears they helped trafficked victims.

Sarah Wilson was 11 when a man raped her in a school playground at night. She was driven across the country to be raped by multiple men. Asked what she thought of police and her social workers, she said:
“Crap, they’re just crap.”

source: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/co ... ol-7777463

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

I get the feeling this story of going to run and run.

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

Its all bullsh*t blaming the CPS and whoever else - a license can be suspended or revoked on an allegation - the cases cited here are why the law was changed.

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

Once again,proud to be part of a Professional TAXI(hackney carriage)trade is brought into disrepute due to the failures of a Council and its Officers not applying the LAW the way it is written.These two Officers should not have been suspended but immediately sacked for gross misconduct,the Councillors have no excuse either as they are duty bound to see that Officers are fulfilling the obligations of their post.
An inquiry must be carried out independently of the Council into the failures of the licensing function,awarding of contracts(education) and the abilities of Councillors(training) on committees at this Council.

The professional TAXI trade are appalled at the failure of Councils and their Officers in carrying out the duties given under statute in the protection of the Public which happens to include TAXI drivers,we do not want anyone to be given a license who is not fully vetted as required by UK LAWS.

It is time every Council was made to follow the findings of two LAW LORDS,

London and Clydesdale Estates v Aberdeen District Council 1980[WLR182]
Lord Hailsham stated "When Parliament lays down a statutory requirement for the exercise of legal authority;it expects it to be obeyed down to the minutest detail."

Birkdale District Electric Supply Company Ltd. v Southport Corporation(1926){AC355]
Lord Birkinhead stated "A well established principle of law that if a person or public body is entrusted by the legislature with certain powers and duties expressly or impliedly for public purposes,those persons or bodies cannot divest themselves of these powers or duties,they cannot enter into any contract or take any action incompatible with the exercise of their powers or the discharge of their duties."

Not only has this Council fell foul of these statements but all Councils must address these statements as they are all failing in their duties to enforce what the legislature layed down.

ROTTEN TO THE CORE THE HACKNEY CARRIAGE INDUSTRY ???

UNORGANISED

POORLY ADMINISTERED

FULL OF PERVES AND MORONS

NO NOT ALL OF YOU OF COURSE THE MAJORITY ARE HONEST DECENT WORKERS BUT YOU NEED TO ORGANIES YOUR INDUSTRY.....................NOW !!

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All posts by this contributor are made in a strictly personal capacity

I AM PROUD TO BE A CITIZEN NOBODY'S SUBJECT http://www.republic.org.u

F88K EM ALL WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

BOOZE BOOZE BOOZE

It's time to hand the licensing of Taxis over to the Police, they'll have the records of everyone who drives Taxis, add everything into their ANPR system and its a win win situation in my eyes.

Most members of the Police Force cannot differentiate between a TAXI(hackney carriage) and a private hire vehicle,even when a Hackney Carriage has the word TAXI in fair sized letters displayed upon it.

Cannot see that it would be a great improvement of what is in place at the moment.

tt mate, what do you do for a living ? serious question, i just thought most on here were drivers

good idea tbh , should take D.N.A also

They should be hung drawn and quartered.

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IDFIMH

we live in a really f*cked up world - sadly nobody, absolutely nobody really gives a sh*t about this stuff - we're treated with contempt.

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

Report which shows taxi drivers sexually abused schoolchildren was ‘covered-up’



COUNCIL bosses have been accused of an “orchestrated cover-up” after taxi drivers were investigated over sexually exploiting school children.

A secret report commissioned by South Ribble Council’s leaders has been kept away from the public, and attempts have been made to gag councillors after the licensing department was slammed for failing to carry out safeguarding checks – putting youngsters at risk on their daily commute to school.

A leaked copy of the damning report seen by the Evening Post claims one driver was arrested for sexual assault on a primary school girl and a ‘vulnerable’ 16-year-old girl complained that a male driver made “inappropriate sexualised remarks” to her.

Solicitors commissioned by the council found licencing bosses failed to carry out background checks on drivers and did not carry out appropriate investigations into the allegations.

The report even warned “there is a clear risk to the safeguarding of not only children, but the public as a whole.”

Today the council said it “acted quickly and urgently to investigate these serious issues”.

But the 20-page report has been kept out of the public eye and today a raft of critics have slammed council bosses and demanded the findings be released.

Coun Matthew Tomlinson, who is Lancashire County Council’s Member for Children, Young People and Schools, as well as a South Ribble councillor, has not been issued with a copy of the report.

He said: “I find it incomprehensible that such a report has been kept secret for so long.

“People need absolute confidence that their local council’s licencing department is doing all it can to keep people safe.

“Until that report is published, people will quite reasonably be harbouring some doubts.”

With regard the 16-year-old girl, Lancashire County Council – which commissioned the school transport service – removed the driver’s Approved Drivers Badge which allowed him to transport vulnerable people alone. LCC then passed the matter to South Ribble Council as the licensing authority.

In a second case, the report states the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided not to proceed because of the difficulties of such a young witness giving evidence.

Lancashire Constabulary have declined to comment, but the report states: “The police have been clear that they consider that the driver did commit the offence.”

In January the driver in that case had his license revoked by South Ribble Council.

Since the report was completed, two licensing officers have been suspended, pending the outcome of an investigation.

Last week, following press interest, the council attempted to stop councillors from speaking out on the matter.

A leaked email seen by the Evening Post was sent from Steve Nugent, the council’s head of Human Resources, to all councillors, asking them to “keep your own counsel”.

And when rumours of two licensing officers being suspended were put to the council by the Evening Post last week, the press office declined to reveal the reason why.

Leader of South Ribble Council Margaret Smith declined to comment.

Coun Paul Foster, Labour leader on South Ribble Council said: “There’s a complete lack of transparency and you have to question scrutiny at the council.

“I believe most of the cabinet have to be publicly questioned on this – there has been an orchestrated cover-up.

“Heads have got to roll. We (Labour) will be holding people accountable. This isn’t a political ding-dong now, it’s a serious situation.”

South Ribble MP Seema Kennedy said the allegations were “incredibly serious” and called for greater transparency.

The Tory politician said: “Children’s safety must always be our first priority. I have asked South Ribble Borough Council for a copy of the report in question and am seeking clarification that the council is taking all possible steps to uncover failings in a transparent manner and bring those responsible to account.”

Coun David Howarth, the Liberal Democrat leader on South Ribble Council, said: “If these checks allegedly have not been carried out or carried out thoroughly, then the public are being put at risk.

“It’s very difficult to comment when you don’t have the full facts to hand, but then that begs the question why councillors have not had the full facts disclosed to them.

“It’s just another concern over the general governance of the council and I think it leaves huge question marks over the political leadership of the council.

“It’s all very well patting yourself on the back over the budget, but are corners being cut?”

A CPS source told the Evening Post the case involving the man arrested for sexual assault could not be tracked through their system because the report did not mention any names. The CPS asked for the report from South Ribble Council but were told it had not yet been published.

An NSPCC spokesperson also hit out at the findings. A spokesman said: “This report exposes a shocking number of failings in the way South Ribble Borough Council failed to monitor cab drivers.

“Ultimately children should not be put at risk on their journey to school.

“Parents must feel secure in the knowledge that drivers ferrying their children to school are subjected to the highest possible checks.

“Recent high profile incidents of child exploitation are timely reminders of the evil that can happen in all of our communities.

“We should all heed these warnings and become more alert to signs of child abuse. It is vital all councils ensure they are constantly vigilant to risks posed to children.”

Coun Foster has called an extraordinary council meeting to discuss the issue on Wednesday, April 27.

A spokesperson for South Ribble Borough Council said: “We take matters of public safety extremely seriously and would like to reassure the public that we have acted quickly and urgently to investigate these serious issues.

“A fully independent review was commissioned by the council and since receiving its interim report, we have conducted a full review of all taxi licences, including checks on all drivers. Those are all now complete and no further issues have been raised.

“In addition, we have accepted the priority recommendations in the interim report and we have already implemented the majority of them and are working to complete the rest as soon as possible.

“We can confirm that two members of staff are currently suspended pending a further internal investigation, and continue to operate a full licensing service in the meantime.

“We will be publishing the final independent report, in full, once the investigation has concluded.”

source: http://www.lep.co.uk/your-lancashire/so ... -1-7860437

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

“That’s the standard technique of privatization: defund, make sure things don’t work, people get angry, you hand it over to private capital”

Noam Chomsky

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

Ven Dear chap its no secret i was a Fleet Street printer then a PH Driver for 12 years in London then worked for a Union organising and representing PH Hack and Chauffeur Drivers Nationwide ............now retired or trying to be still get calls for advice and assistance on a regular basis, and occasionally write in a Trade magazine, besides of course trying to provoke the dim wits on here into STANDING UP FOR THEMSELVES ON AN ORGANISED BASIS ...............FAT CHANCE THEIR TOO [edited by admin]!ING THICK

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All posts by this contributor are made in a strictly personal capacity

I AM PROUD TO BE A CITIZEN NOBODY'S SUBJECT http://www.republic.org.u

F88K EM ALL WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

BOOZE BOOZE BOOZE

Crazy all POLICE in my experience are corrupt fascist racist SCUM and you want them to handle your LIVING FFS!!

_________________
All posts by this contributor are made in a strictly personal capacity

I AM PROUD TO BE A CITIZEN NOBODY'S SUBJECT http://www.republic.org.u

F88K EM ALL WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

BOOZE BOOZE BOOZE