Calls for those with violent convictions to be banned from taxi driving
It comes more than a decade on from the murder of Sian O'Callaghan.
Last updated 5th Nov 2024
There's calls for people with violent convictions to be banned from taxi driving- more than a decade on from the murder of Sian O'Callaghan.
The 22-year-old was killed after getting into Christopher Halliwell's taxi in Swindon in March 2011.
Nationally, nearly 100 licences have been given to drivers with convictions since August 2022.
Despite calls to action by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust since 2014 and the introduction of the Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Act 2022, they say inconsistencies across licensing authorities persist, putting passengers at risk.
The new government has made it a key promise that it will halve violence against women and girls within a decade.
The charity thinks it's vital that perpetrators’ ability to use public transport to commit these crimes is reduced.
A recent Freedom of Information (FOI) request by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust showed that drivers with convictions, including for violent crimes such as assault, battery and harassment, were still being licensed despite licensing authorities knowing about the offences.
Key Findings:
- An estimated 90 licences were granted to drivers with convictions for violent offences
- A further 68 were granted to drivers holding various traffic, driving or vehicle related convictions
- A significant proportion of the public (30%) reported feeling unsafe during journeys, with 15% of women citing sexual harassment as a concern (YouGov poll)
The Trust is calls for immediate government action to introduce national minimum standards in legislation for driver licensing and for the inclusion of drivers as a regulated activity.
This would ensure stricter background checks, like there is for teachers and other regulated professions.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “Keeping passengers safe is the top priority, and drivers in England are already subject to the highest-level background checks.
"Before deciding to issue a licence, authorities must consult a national database which logs if someone has had a licence refused, suspended, or revoked.
“We are also currently considering further options to improve safety around taxi licensing.”