LIVERPOOL

A private hire taxi driver was arrested after a report of a woman being assaulted in the Aigburth area early this morning.

Police were alerted at around 2.20am, after a report was received of a woman having been assaulted at the junction of Aigburth Road and Jericho Lane.

Following enquiries, officers located a Peugeot Expert private hire taxi on Dale Street, in the city centre, at 2.45am.

A 39-year-old man from West Derby was arrested on suspicion of assault and drug driving and taken to a police station for questioning.

The victim suffered bruising and was looked after at the scene but did not require hospital treatment.

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 NORTH TYNESIDE
 
 Nine taxi drivers have had their licences suspended and a further three have been revoked after they did not complete training on how to spot signs of child sexual exploitation.

All hackney carriage and private hire drivers licensed by North Tyneside Council must undergo child sexual exploitation (CSE) awareness training.

Hundreds of cabbies have completed the course however, the council’s latest figures show that nine drivers have recently been suspended after they failed to complete the training and three have had their licences revoked.

The three drivers whose licences were withdrawn have not appealed against the decision so they are no longer in the trade.

The authority says it is vital that taxi drivers complete the training, which is free, so they know how to help safeguard young and vulnerable people.

Coun John Harrison, the authority’s cabinet member for housing and transport, said: “Drivers can play an important role in helping to safeguard vulnerable people as they may see, hear or recognise situations or behaviour that may be of concern.

“It’s why we’ve ensured licensed drivers undergo awareness training to help in the prevention of sexual exploitation and know how to report it.”

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NEWBURY
 
  Detectives investigating two rapes carried out by a man claiming to be a taxi driver have made a second arrest.

Two women in their 20s were attacked after nights out in Newbury, Berkshire, on 20 January and 24 February.

The victims both thought they were getting into a taxi before being driven to unknown locations, police said.

A 42-year-old man from Newbury has been arrested on suspicion of rape and was being held in custody on Sunday. Another man, aged, 40, has been bailed.

The first victim was raped inside a vehicle after being picked up from Mayors Lane at about 01:30 GMT.

The second victim was picked up near the roundabout at Inches Yard at about 04:20 GMT and driven to a property in an unknown location.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-43277386
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 Dundee’s electric taxi fleet is struggling to cope in the severe winter weather, it has  been claimed.

The city has been hit by an icy blast in the past few days, leading to schools, libraries, colleges and universities closing.

The Beast from the East has also resulted in traffic being heavily disrupted, with bus services and roads affected across the region.

Now, the cold snap has highlighted issues with electric taxi vehicles, according to cab bosses.

Chris Elder, taxi rep for Unite, said: “Because drivers have had to use heaters and wipers, as well as their two-way radios and on-board computers, they have found that taxis have been running out of charge more quickly.

“Some passengers have complained that the cabs have been cold, so drivers have been forced to turn the heating up.

“We are going to ask the city council if they could provide more charging points in areas like Whitfield and Menzieshill.”

Lee Jack, pictured right, owner of 505050 Taxis, which operates nine electric vehicles, said: “The weather has been severe and drivers have had a big demand on their charge, but it has been no worse than on a cold, wet day.

“Electric taxis are definitely the way forward, however, and more charging points across Dundee would be very welcome.”


The council’s city development convener, Councillor Lynne Short, said: “Dundee has one of the most extensive charging infrastructures in the UK with one of the rapid chargers officially the most used in Scotland. It’s also worth noting that the second-most used in Scotland is also here in Dundee.

“The council owns 58 chargers at eight publicly available locations, including Scotland’s first rapid charger. Plans are already approved and work is starting on another array on one of our main commuter routes.”

Meanwhile, the Beast from the East is loosening its grip on Dundee — but locals are still being warned to take care.

A yellow “be aware” warning for snow has been in place for the Tayside region since Wednesday and will not lift until the end of Monday at the earliest.

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