Taxi Driver Online

Dozens of Rotherham taxi drivers have licences revoked in crackdown



Dozens of taxi drivers in Rotherham have had their licences revoked after tougher regulations were introduced in the wake of the town’s abuse scandal.

A total of 67 drivers were found to be potentially in breach of new ‘fit and proper person’ tests – with around 70 per cent of this group having their licences revoked after case hearings.

A further 171 taxi drivers in the town have had their licences suspended until they complete training sessions on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

Details have been revealed in a report by the Government-appointed commissioners who have taken charge of Rotherham Council in the wake of child sexual exploitation scandal.

Professor Alexis Jay’s inquiry in August 2014 – which found that at least 1,400 children had been victims of sexual exploitation over 16 years – had noted the ‘prominent role’ of taxi drivers in such offending.

Louise Casey’s follow-up report for the Government in February 2015 said the ‘well-publicised link between taxis and CSE in Rotherham continues to cast a long shadow over the vast majority of law-abiding drivers who make their living from the taxi trade.’

New licensing rules were approved by Commissioner Mary Ney, despite protests from some drivers, which centred on concerns about ‘ongoing’ plans to put CCTV cameras in every taxi.

Angry drivers said they were being made ‘scapegoats’ for the town’s grooming scandal in a protest outside the Town Hall.

The new ‘fit and proper’ persons test takes account of previous criminal convictions and complaints, while there are more stringent requirements regarding safety and the age of vehicles.

The report from the commissioners said: “An audit of all drivers against the new standard identified that six per cent of drivers may be in breach.

“All of these 67 were offered the opportunity of a case hearing which has resulted in around 70 per cent of these licences being revoked.

“By January this year, 963 drivers had attended training sessions on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults; the remaining 171 drivers are suspended until they complete the training.

“If they fail to do so within the required timescale, the licence suspension will take full effect.”

Commissioners have also revealed they hope to hand back more powers to councillors and officers in summer after returning responsibility in summer for areas such as youth services, housing, planning and education.

Lead commissioner Sir Derek Myers said: “While it is clear we have to go some way to restoring the public’s confidence in the council, our trajectory is upwards.”


Read more: http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/dozens-of ... z42zHF5Z5V

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

They're being made scapegoats

It's a bit late now though isn't it

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

It's all a joke now seeing that probably 30% are now licensed by rossendale gedling etc

Stable door and horse spring to mind?

Rotherham taxi drivers' suspensions to aid public 'confidence' says commissioner


The suspension of about 40 taxi drivers in Rotherham is aimed at restoring public confidence, according to the commissioner overseeing the service.

Mary Ney said the aim was to overcome a "a loss of confidence" in the wake of the town's child sex abuse scandal.

Tariq Sadiq, of Rotherham Hackney Drivers' Association, said he believed taxi drivers were "an easy scapegoat".

But Ms Ney said they wanted to ensure the "fit and proper person" test requirements were fulfilled.

The rules take into account previous criminal convictions, complaints against drivers and more stringent safety requirements for the taxis.

A further 171 drivers could be suspended because they have not completed the mandatory training in protecting children and vulnerable adults, it has been revealed.

The council is to organise further training sessions for drivers to complete, said Mrs Ney.

The new rules come after the Jay report into child sexual exploitation in the town that said taxis had been used by abusers to traffic victims.

Mrs Ney said there was a "cause for concern" after looking at the records of 67 drivers but not all of them would fail the "fit and proper test"

The drivers have been given the chance of a personal hearing and about 40 had their licence revoked.

The suspended drivers can appeal to magistrates and around 20 cases have yet to be heard, said Ms Ney.

Responding to Mr Sadiq's concerns, she told BBC Radio Sheffield: "In Rotherham there's been some historic problems and there's clearly been quite a loss of confidence in the taxi trade.

"What we're trying to do is to ensure the very high standards of the taxi trade in Rotherham so the public do have confidence again in using the service."

The town has an estimated 1,100 taxi drivers.

Government commissioners were selected to run Rotherham Council until 2019 after the local authority was found to be "not fit for purpose" over its handling of child sexual exploitation in the town.

source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-so ... e-35841097

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

Some historic problems !!!!

You are having a f***ing laugh fella.

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IDFIMH

Surely that should be "fella-ette".

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Chris The Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdlyi5mc ... re=related