More than 20 of the seedy drivers were blacklisted and reported by worried youth workers, who claim police and local authority chiefs did nothing
Taxi drivers paid by council staff to ferry vulnerable young girls from Rotherham care homes also drove them to terrifying encounters with sex abusers, a whistleblower told the Sunday People.
More than 20 of the seedy drivers were blacklisted and reported by worried youth workers, who claim police and local authority chiefs did nothing.
In addition to transporting underage girls to be attacked by men in fast food joints and cafes, drivers are said to have abused them in their cars.
Horrified carers noted the reg numbers of rogue cabbies in the South Yorkshire town where 1,400 girls fell victim to Asian gangs from 1997 to 2013, according to a report released last week.
Care managers stopped using seedy drivers they suspected were preying on girls they carried between care homes and meetings with council officers and probation officials.
Our whistleblower, who spent 12 years working with girls classed as “out of control”, believes the sex abuse scandal actually started among taxi drivers.
She said it was common knowledge in the town that there was a “massive” abuse problem with married Asian taxi drivers, some as old as 70.
One particular firm came under suspicion as far back as early 2000. She said: “About 20 of the drivers were involved.
“They would pick up the girls and then deliver them to various takeaways.
“The girls got a ride out of it, free food and were given clothes.
“The police were told about this time and time again but nothing was ever done. I don’t remember one conviction.
“It was so well known we were banned from using this particular taxi firm to transport the youngsters.”
The ex-care worker added: “If we had no other option then we had to use them and take down the registration numbers.
“Workers at children’s units were told to take down registration numbers of taxis who picked up the girls.
“These were all given to police but nothing happened.
"It was obvious years ago that some taxi firms were not trusted to take youngsters to meetings with key workers and court hearings.
"The trouble is, drivers would change firms all the time, so it was hard to keep up.”
Our whistleblower said drivers would also try and inveigle themselves into positions of responsibility.
One of them tried to join Rotherham Council’s panel for “restorative justice”, which aimed to help troubled youngsters.
Our source said: “He said he wanted to help the community but when I saw his name on the list alarm bells went off.”
Police checked the man out and told the council workers he had previously been arrested but not charged.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/rotherham-sex-abuse-victims-ferried-4137352?
------------------------------------------------------
SUNDERLAND
A TAXI firm has launched a smartphone app which it hopes will help keep Sunderland passengers safe from rogue cabbies.
Southwick-based Station Taxis launched the app, which is available for both iOS and Android phones, in the wake of a Northumbria Police operation.
Operation Sanctuary, which has so far led to 120 arrests and 21 charges, is investigating allegations of sexual offences against vulnerable females.
The firm’s bosses were concerned to learn that some victims have been transported in taxis to addresses where they have been sexually assaulted or raped, while others had been picked up by rogue cab drivers.
The Station Taxis app uses GPS technology which allows customers to book a taxi using their current location and track their vehicle without having to make any phone calls or wait in queues.
The service also provides the name of the driver and the registration number, model and colour of the vehicle – to ensure passengers do not get into the wrong car by mistake.
Managing director Trevor Hines said: “The new app makes booking a taxi a lot easier, and ensures that you know who is picking you up. Being able to track your vehicle lets you know exactly where it is, and how long it will take to arrive.
“We will continue to support the police and the taxi licence department in their efforts to make travelling by taxi safer in Sunderland and the surrounding area.”
The Station Taxis app is free to download for iPhones from the Apple Store or for Android phones from Google Play.
http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/business/sunderland-taxi-firm-launches-new-app-to-help-keep-passengers-safe-1-6812899
--------------------------------------------------------------
EIRE
TAXI industry bosses have warned that sex offenders and convicted criminals could still be driving cabs as dozens of operators were busted by the National Transport Authority (NTA).
A total of 65 unlicensed taxi drivers have been identified by the authority in the past three months, according to a report.
Between April and July, the authority received 161 consumer complaints against taxi drivers.
A total of 106 of these were from passengers who complained about fares.
Industry experts said the figures would be alarming for anyone who uses a taxi, particularly women travelling on their own.
National Private Hire and Taxi Association representative Christy Humphries said the high rate of complaints should be a cause for concern. He said that all 65 of the drivers who were unlicensed should be "named and shamed" by the authority.
"If you don't have a licence, you don't have insurance," he said. "If the licensed driver isn't driving, then who is?
"It appears as if convicted criminals and sex offenders could be free to drive taxis, given the alarming level of non-compliance."
Section 64 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 sets out the categories of complaint that can be dealt with by the authority.
These include complaints relating to the condition, roadworthiness and cleanliness of the vehicle as well as the conduct, behaviour and identification of the driver.
investigates
The Authority also investigates claims relating to overcharging and other matters concerning fares as well as the hiring and booking of a taxi.
If consumers are not happy with the identification and general appearance of a vehicle, they may also register a complaint.
hnews@herald.ie
No comments:
Post a Comment