Public being reassured as taxi driver investigation launched
South Ribble Borough Council is reassuring the public after claims that some taxi drivers hadn't been properly vetted, potentially putting children at risk.
A Preston Council is reassuring the public after claims that some taxi drivers hadn't been properly vetted, potentially putting children at risk.
An investigation is continuing and two members of staff have been suspended.
South Ribble Borough Council says an independent review raised a number of recommendations.
As a result it has carried out a full review of all taxi licences and checks on all drivers.
Claims came to light that proper assessments hadn't been carried out which may have put the safety of children at risk.
In a statement a Council spokesperson said: " A spokesperson for South Ribble Borough Council said:
*“We take matters of public safety extremely seriously and would like to reassure the public that we have acted quickly and urgently to investigate these serious issues. *
"A fully independent review was commissioned by the council and since receiving its interim report, we have conducted a full review of all taxi licences, including checks on all drivers. Those are all now complete and no further issues have been raised.
"In addition, we have accepted the priority recommendations in the interim report and we have already implemented the majority of them and are working to complete the rest as soon as possible.
"We can confirm that two members of staff are currently suspended pending a further internal investigation, and continue to operate a full licensing service in the meantime.
"We will be publishing the final independent report, in full, once the investigation has concluded."