Worcester City Council is asking people for their views on plans for safeguarding training to be made compulsory for all the taxi and private vehicle hire drivers that it licences.
The training is designed to help drivers identify and respond if a passenger shows signs of being abused or in a difficult situation.
Safeguarding education for drivers can help reduce the risk of harm to children, young people and adults who may be vulnerable.
Taxi drivers would be told how to report crimes such as trafficking, drug dealing, domestic abuse, or other forms of discrimination.
The City Council is also proposing that drivers undertake safeguarding refresher training every three years - upon the renewal of their licence.
Councillor Richard Udall, the Chair of Worcester City Council’s Licensing and Environmental Health Committee, said: “City taxi drivers play an important role in helping people to move around Worcester.
“It is important that all taxi drivers receive the latest safeguarding training to keep themselves and their customers safe.
“We would like to hear from taxi drivers and private hire vehicle trades members about the proposals.
“The views of groups across Worcester would also be welcome, whether they be from transport, community, business or welfare sectors.
“Taxi drivers play an important role in taking people home at the end of a night out and we would like to also hear the thoughts from any night-time economy groups about the proposal.
“To have your say, visit www.worcester.gov.uk/voiceit.”
The proposal comes after the Department for Transport issued new statutory guidance to taxi and private hire licensing authorities in 2020.
Training has previously been put in place for new drivers, but it is now being proposed to be expanded to cover all taxi drivers.
Have your say in the taxi drivers safeguarding training consultation.
The results will be considered by the City Council’s Licensing and Environment Committee in October.
If given the green light, then the mandatory training would be enforced from 1 January 2025.
