Better criminal record checks for taxi drivers
SHEFFIELD Council is reintroducing enhanced criminal records bureau checks for taxi drivers after another change in Government policy.
Council officials last year downgraded checks to the standard level - which checks fewer sources - for all drivers except those working regularly with children or vulnerable people. The council had been told the more stringent checks were not necessary for all cabbies.
But the Government is now recommending that enhanced vetting checks are made for all taxi and private hire vehicle drivers, to give reassurance to women travelling alone and other vulnerable customers who use taxis and minicabs.
Lynne Featherstone, Criminal Information Minister, said: “We are determined to ensure the criminal records scheme is balanced to respect civil liberties and protect the public.
“Taxi drivers provide a valuable service transporting children to school and lone women home after a night out so it is only right the public should have confidence proper checks have been carried out.
“These proposals will ensure licensing authorities have all the information they need to make informed decisions before granting licences to drivers.”
Sheffield Council said it will now reintroduce enhanced CRB checks for all drivers - although they will be once every three years rather than 18 months under previous arrangements.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sheffield
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
Comments
There are 5 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
Archangel
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 09:16 AMWill this stop illegal cab sharing? No. Will it rake in a few bob? Yes.
Woodseats Sammy
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 09:04 AMI am glad enhanced CRBs are being reintroduced. Now let's see checks made to ensure the guy behind the wheel is the one on the licence...
Ukip
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 08:56 AMWhat about criminal checks for all customers of cab drivers. Why is the protection only one sided. What happens if the woman or children the cab driving is carrying are a danger to him. There are plenty of men who need protecting from certain woman and children.
shorehamview
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 07:07 AMCiry? City even. Stupid loptap.:)
shorehamview
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 07:06 AMPerhaps they could also help the drivers with their navigational skills too. Some don't know the difference between Parson's Cross and Banner Cross, Woodseats and Woodhouse or even anywhere in Sheffield and The Back End Of Beyond. Some appear to have not even completed the basic ElbowBottom recognition course. I appreciate that it is sometimes a thankless task ferrying drunks home at weekends, but surely a basic working knowledge of the ciry you are driving in would be of help.
Page 1 of 1
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.