An anti-stalking and harassment charity has called for stricter background checks to be introduced for taxi drivers applying for licenses.
Research by The Suzy Lamplugh Trust found that around 90 taxi drivers have been granted licences by a sample of 28 councils despite having criminal convictions, including for assault, battery and harassment.
The charity also found a further 68 were awarded licences despite having traffic, driving or vehicle-related convictions. The charity called for legislation to establish clear national minimum standards for licensing taxi and private hire vehicle drivers.
Emma Lingley-Clark, interim CEO of The Suzy Lamplugh Trust, commented: ‘These findings show that passengers are being put at risk due to inconsistent implementation of government guidance on safe licensing.
‘It is vital therefore that the Government introduce national standards in law to mandate the prevention of drivers with a violent history from being allowed to operate. This should be done in line with a wider push to tackle violence against women and girls across the public transport network in the UK.’
