Taxi drivers 'sexually abused children after council failed to conduct licence checks'

Victims allegedly include a five-year-old child who was sexually assaulted and a vulnerable 16-year-old who feared she would be raped after being propositioned by a driver

Two council employees have reportedly been suspended (file pic) (Getty)

Children as young as five have been sexually exploited by taxi drivers after council officials failed to carry out proper background checks, it has been alleged.

Two council employees have reportedly been suspended after claims have emerged that at least 44 taxi drivers were not the subject of proper background checks before they were issued with licenses in South Ribble, Lancashire.

Alleged victims include a five-year-old child and a vulnerable 16-year-old girl who were reportedly sexually assaulted in separate incidents. It is alleged that a number of drivers were allowed to retain their licences for several months after allegations of sexual abuse came to light.

The allegations have emerged following an interim report conducted by South Ribble Council, claimed to have been seen by New Day. The report, instigated under the instruction of the Cabinet Office,apparently records that licensing officers tasked with investigating the alleged abuses failed to take action after the issue came to light.

The report details one occasion whereby a five-year-old was reportedly sexually assaulted by a taxi driver. The report states: “The driver was arrested for a sexual offence against a primary school age girl. The CPS decided not to proceed with prosecution against the driver because of potential difficulties in such a young witness giving evidence. However, police have been clear that they consider the driver did commit the offence. It is reasonable to assume the driver poses a safeguarding risk.” However, despite these serious concerns the driver was allegedly allowed to keep his licence for several more months.

The child’s aunt told New Day: “She told her mum this man had touched her inappropriately. He was on police bail but he kept his licence and was still driving around until a few weeks ago when the authority finally stepped in and revoked his licence.

“It’s been an absolute disgrace. He’s been driving around picking up schoolchildren and all the while the council did nothing.”

In a further incident, a 16-year-old girl reported that she feared she would be raped by the taxi driver contracted by Lancashire County Council to take her to and from school. She says that he made “inappropriate sexualised remarks” towards her and propositioned her sexually. Despite the fact that she made a formal written complaint, it appeared the council did not revoke his licence.

Lawyers are now conducting an independent review into the allegations.

A spokesperson for South Ribble Borough Council said: “We are currently investigating a number of issues within the licensing section. The council takes matters of public safety extremely seriously and we are currently undertaking a full review of all taxi licenses, including drivers and vehicles.

“Where issues have been highlighted, these have been rectified without incident. Two licensing officers are currently suspended subject to ongoing disciplinary proceedings. We continue to operate a full licensing service in the meantime. An investigation is ongoing and will be published in due course.”

Matthew Tomlinson, South Ribble councillor and Lancashire County Council and Cabinet member for Children, Young People and Schools told New Day: “If something goes wrong with regard to child safeguarding you should throw the doors open and say ‘My God, this is terrible’ and ‘We need help’, but this looks as if the council has tried to bury it for as long as it possibly could. Trying to cover the initial issue is what gets you in a mess.

“We all must look at what’s happened in other places like Rotherham and be vigilant that it’s not happening on our doorstep, but it appears South Ribble has failed in that respect.”

The Independent has approached South Ribble Borough Council for comment.