Taxi Driver Online

Not sure if this is really worth posting on here, but if something had happened then I suppose it would be a 'fake taxi driver' type of story

But almost certainly a fake 'taxi' driver, and obviously not the usual late-night/intoxicated scenario either.

But no shortage of stuff like this in Hull, and I'd guess such incidents are pretty common, but unreported


Man 'tries to lure teenage girl into taxi' at Paragon Interchange but CCTV is so old police can't use it

https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hu ... rl-8827256

CCTV in Hull Paragon Interchange is due to be overhauled as a part of a multi-million-pound scheme to improve safety

A worried dad has expressed concerns over security at Hull's Paragon Interchange station after a man tried to lure his young teenage daughter into a taxi.

The suspect was caught on camera but authorities were apparently unable to identify the man due to the technology being nearly two decades old. Transpennine Express, which manages the station, has since said it is in the process of a multimillion-pound overhaul to the current system.

The father of the victim, from Hedon, said that the incident has left his daughter anxious to return to the station. He said: "It was about 4.50 pm when a male approached her in the queue. He told her to go with him because he's got a taxi, and offered to pay for the taxi home."

After noticing that she did not follow him towards the taxi, the man tried for a second time to lure the schoolgirl but became more aggressive.

"She rang me straight away and we have since spoken to the Police," he said. "They came around, did the interview, took a statement and they started to investigate. But they said that they could not get an image in Hull Interchange because it's 20 plus years old, and could not identify him from the CCTV."

He said: "She's alright now, but she's really anxious to go into the Interchange understandably. British Transport Police said that they had numerous crimes committed in the Interchange and that the CCTV has been inadequate."

Although Transpennine Express has upped the number of staff wearing body cameras to increase safety, the father would rather the investment go towards better CCTV quality.

Transpennine Express has confirmed that they are replacing the CCTV system as a part of a multimillion-pound overhaul. Kathryn O’Brien, Customer Service and Operations Director at TPE, said: “The safety and security of our customers and colleagues is paramount and we are always looking for ways to make the railway an even safer space.

“Our current CCTV systems were installed around 20 years ago and have been maintained, repaired, partially replaced and refreshed under robust asset management arrangements during this time."

“We are in advanced stages to begin a multimillion-pound contract to replace all of the CCTV systems and infrastructure across our network. In the past 12 months, we have introduced and increased our number of Body Worn Cameras, which studies have shown have contributed to a reduction in crime.”

Speaking specifically in regard to Hull, Kathryn continued: “Earlier this year we launched a first-of-its-kind station safeguarding multi-agency hub at Hull Paragon in collaboration with Hull City Council, British Transport Police (BTP), Humberside Police, and local community agencies.

British Transport Police said: "We received a late report at 7pm on Thursday 28 September of a child/teenager being sexually harassed by a man at a bus stand at Hull Paragon Interchange. Officers have been in touch with the victim and their family and the investigation is ongoing.

"It's vital that passengers continue to report these incidents to us for us to be able to take action - we can identify hotspot locations, target our patrols, and crucially bring more offenders to justice. Each report we receive provides us with valuable information which we can use to build a picture of an offender.

"Often it allows us to notice a pattern of offending behaviour and we will take action. For further guidance and support, download the Railway Guardian app."

“If you are a victim of, or a witness to, a sexual offence on the railway - I urge you to report it to us by texting 61016 or via the Railway Guardian app. We will always take you seriously."

Choc-a-bloc with the usual 'comms' cliches. Safety is paramount, safeguarding multi-agency hub, collaboration with various agencies, blah, blah. But I suppose 'collaboration' makes a slight change from 'working closely with'

And I know they have to waffle stuff like 'robust asset management arrangements during this time', but it all kind of grinds you down over the years

If that had been the case the CCTV would have been bloody well effective, but it was bloody well ineffective.

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IDFIMH

where's my bullshit bingo card?