Nothing particularly new here in view of numerous similar articles from other places over the years, but the driver with almost 70 offences stands out a bit
And don't even try getting the numbers to add up
Cabbies’ criminal convictionshttps://www.timesandstar.co.uk/news/182 ... nvictions/Hundreds of taxi drivers are working in Carlisle with criminal convictions covering firearms offences and assaults, to burglaries and harassment. A Freedom of Information request by The Cumberland News revealed that of the 330 licensed taxi drivers, 215 have registered previous convictions. Some of these are now spent convictions however, with many dating back decades.
All of the convictions have been declared to Carlisle City Council, and none are for sex offences.
One unnamed driver has a record of nearly 70 criminal offences, including multiple driving convictions plus those for burglary, theft and possessing a firearm.
The council has currently issued 111 private hire licences and 259 Hackney carriage licences - with 40 drivers holding both licences.
Of the 215 drivers with a criminal record, 974 convictions were recorded.
Wayne Casey, chairman of Carlisle Taxi Association, has moved to reassure passengers that the vast majority of the offences were committed a long time ago, with the drivers having now reformed.
“These convictions are from when these people were 18 and silly boys,” he explained.
“The convictions are on their records for life and it’s down to the council’s licensing department to decide if they are granted licences.
“But they do relate to spent convictions.”
Cumbria police echoed the association.
“The decision regarding whether to issue licences to individuals is at the discretion of the city council who conduct DBS checks and risk assessments before licences are issued,” said a spokeswoman.
“It should be taken into account that it is likely that many of the convictions which have shown up on this information request will refer to spent convictions, potentially going back years or even decades.”
The council insists that public safety is its number one priority, and new policies were introduced last year as part of efforts to ensure the safety of passengers.
A Carlisle City Council spokeswoman said: “The safety and welfare of the taxi-travelling public is of paramount importance to us.
“We are committed to ensuring all operators, vehicles and drivers meet the required standards.
“In order to consider whether to issue a licence, we have adopted the Institute of Licensing Guidance. This national guidance has been produced in partnership with the Local Government Association, Lawyers in Local Government and the National Association of Licensing Enforcement Officer.
“If a licensed driver commits an offence whilst licensed they will be dealt with under our private hire and hackney carriage enforcement policy and if there is a concern as to whether they continue to be fit and proper (or safe and suitable), the matter will be referred to the regulatory panel to consider.”
In April last year, the city council introduced its new enforcement policy to further protect the public safety of taxi passengers in Carlisle.
Offences include unsatisfactory behaviour or conduct of a driver; failure to produce relevant documents within timescales when requested by an authorised officer; failure to notify the council in writing of any motoring or criminal convictions within 21 days; refusal to accept hiring without reasonable cause; and proving false or misleading information on licence application form/failing to provide relevant information.
“Within the policy, the issuing of penalty points was introduced,” added the council spokeswoman. “The aim of the penalty point scheme is to provide a fast and efficient way of dealing with lesser breaches of legislation or licence conditions.
“It records the misdemeanours and helps determine whether the driver is a fit and proper person.”
Anyone with concerns about how a taxi is operated or driven, should call the council’s licensing team on 01228 817523.
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