TAXI and private hire drivers across the Cotswold District are receiving free training sessions to help them identify the signs that a young or vulnerable person is at risk of exploitation.

The training is being delivered by the Gloucestershire Child Sexual Exploitation team on behalf of Cotswold District Council and is mandatory for all drivers licensed by the authority.

Cllr Mark MacKenzie-Charrington, CDC cabinet member responsible for licensing, said: “Taxi drivers have an excellent opportunity to help prevent young people from exploitation.

“They know their communities well and, given this new training, they will be better able to spot – and report – issues which could put vulnerable children and adults at risk.”

His comments were echoed by CDC senior licensing officer Michelle Bignell, who said: “We recently started these briefings for taxi drivers and they will continue through to early October.

“The drivers learn to look out for warning signals when they are out and about, and the reports they make should help to create a safer environment for vulnerable people across the district.”

“Taxi drivers are ideally placed to be the ‘eyes and ears’ in the fight to protect our young people against exploitation.

“They are in a privileged position of knowing a lot about the communities that they work in and sometimes they are witness to issues relating to vulnerable children and adults.

“With this training they’re able to spot the signs and report any issues.”

Training sessions for the Cotswold District will be held on the following dates:

  • Tuesday, July 4 – 1pm to 4pm
  • Wednesday, July 19 – 10am to 1pm
  • Thursday, September 14 – 10am to 1pm
  • Thursday, October 5 – 10am to 1pm and 1pm to 4pm

Any taxi or private hire driver who still needs to book a place should call the licensing team on 01285 623000 or email licensing@cotswold.gov.uk