Guidance

Staying safe: guidance for taxi drivers

Published 17 November 2023

As a taxi driver you are dealing with strangers, often in isolated places and carrying cash. Taking people off the streets or from ranks with no knowledge of their home address or telephone number means that if they cause trouble, you are especially vulnerable. If you work at night you are likely to have to deal with people who have drunk too much alcohol. All this means you may be at risk of violence.

This guide is to help you to think of things that you can do to stay safe. It also contains guidance on what to do if you are concerned that a child may be at risk of harm.

Hate crime

The term ‘hate crime’ can be used to describe a range of criminal behaviour where the perpetrator is motivated by hostility or demonstrates hostility towards the victim’s disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or transgender identity.

These aspects of a person’s identity are known as ‘protected characteristics’. A hate crime can include verbal abuse, intimidation, threats, harassment, assault and bullying, as well as damage to property. Any crime can be a hate crime, including if it is committed online. The perpetrator can also be a friend, carer or acquaintance who exploits their relationship with the victim for financial gain or some other criminal purpose.

If you believe that you may have been the victim of a hate crime, you should report this to your licensing authority so that it can better understand the issue facing the trade. You can report this to the police in a number of ways:

• By calling 101 (non-emergency) or 999 (emergency).
• Online at www.report-it.org.uk/ or view the website for your local police force.
• In person at a local police station.
• You may also wish to report anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/.

Hate crimes target an individual’s core identity and, as such, have a particularly harmful impact on victims.

You can seek support from a range of organisations that are experts in supporting victims of hate crime (even if you have chosen not to report your experience to the police).

These organisations provide a range of services to help you address the impacts of your experience, ranging from emotional or practical support, help with accessing assistance from other agencies and help with making a report to the police.

A list of organisations that victims can access can be found at www.report-it.org.uk/organisations_that_can_help.

More information about hate crime can be found at www.gov.uk/report-hate-crime.

Cash management

If you can, drop off cash during your shift so that you carry as little in your car as you can. If you cannot, keep your cash hidden from view in a secure box.

Adjustments to your vehicle

Vehicles used by the trade that are not purpose-built are unlikely to have a partition between the front and rear of the vehicle, which may provide protection for the driver from assault. Partitions can be made from materials that withstand a knife attack or hard body impact and can be fitted and taken out easily.

The fitting of in-vehicle partitions must not cause the vehicle to be a danger to anyone in the vehicle or on the road, in compliance with regulation 100 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986.

Installing CCTV cameras has been shown to lead to reduced threats and violence against drivers. Signs in the vehicle are required to highlight the presence of CCTV to passengers and an extra indicator is required to show when audio recording has been activated. Cameras can be bought or rented and the cost may be offset by reduced insurance premiums. They can be useful when there is a dispute with a passenger as it is not just the driver’s word against theirs. When installing CCTV, the system must comply with the licensing authority’s requirements.

A report of the Sheffield Taxi Safety Camera Pilot Study found that, based on drivers’ feedback, installing CCTV cameras reduced the number of incidents from 1 in 7 fares to less than 1 in 100 with a very significant reduction in threats and violence against drivers.

Fitting a convex mirror that gives you a full view of the rear of your car will help you to see what a passenger directly behind you is doing.

Carry with you

• A spare key, in case an assailant throws your keys away.
• A mobile phone: if available, use the ‘emergency information’ function, so that, if needed, anyone who picks up your phone can see this information without the need to unlock your phone. Alternatively, carry an emergency card with your name, date of birth, blood group, allergies and a contact number for emergencies.
• A notepad and pen to record incidents.
• An explanation of the fare structure, so that you can explain it to a passenger who feels that you are over-charging them.

If you are linked to a control centre

• Use your radio or other means to tell them where you are going. This will mean the controller has the information, and the passenger will know they do. Alert the controller of any changes along the way.
• Have a pre-arranged code word that you can use if a passenger becomes threatening, so that you can call for help without making the passenger suspicious.
• Some control rooms have GPS and can track the progress of all vehicles. Drivers have a silent button that they can activate in an emergency, which flags up their vehicle on the controller’s screen.

Staying safe

• You know that working at night carries most risks of violence, especially as many passengers will have been drinking. Make sure you are not tired – you need to be alert at all times.
• Trust your instinct, as you have the right to refuse a passenger if you think they may present a risk.
• If you have a saloon car, control passenger access to the front. Only open the windows enough to speak to people without them being able to reach in. Only let them sit in the front if you wish.
• Communication with the passenger is important. Be polite and pleasant.
• When you travel outside your licensing area, agreeing on the fare before you set off can reduce the risks of violence over a fare dispute later when you may be in an isolated place.
• Be ready to explain the fare structure to a passenger. Many violent incidents arise from fare disputes.
• Make eye contact with the passenger when they get in the car. This helps to establish a relationship with them. It also gives them the message that you could identify them.
• Explain the route you plan to take if you are going a long way round (for example, to avoid road works) so as to prevent a dispute over the fare.

If you feel threatened

• Try to stay calm. Take slow, deep breaths as this may help to lessen your anxiety.
• Be aware of your own actions and how they may be seen.
• If a CCTV system is fitted, remind the passenger of this and, if audio is to be recorded, make clear that you are doing so and why.
• If you can, drive to a brightly lit, busy place as these are often covered by CCTV.
• If you have a purpose-built taxi or a saloon car with a screen, you are likely to be safer staying in your vehicle than getting out.
• Do not attempt to run after a passenger who owes you their fare. Your safety is more important than the money.

If you are attacked

• Do not try to fight back, as it is most likely to make the violence worse for you.
• Use your horn and lights to attract attention.
• Contact your control room or call 999 to get help.
• Gather as much information about the person as you can (such as their clothes or accent).

After an incident

• Write down everything about the incident, a description of the passenger and what they said and did.
• If you did not call them at the time, report all violent incidents to the police. Be prepared to make a witness statement. It may take time, but it may prevent violence in the future for you and other drivers.
• When sentencing offenders, courts must follow the relevant legislation and the sentencing guidelines. Assaults against those providing a public service and vulnerability of the victim are both aggravating factors, increasing the seriousness of the offence. Where a crime has been motivated by the victim’s actual or perceived race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or transgender status, this will be considered an aggravation, which makes the offence more serious, usually meriting a higher sentence.
• Bilking ‘or making off without payment’ is a criminal offence under section 3 of the Theft Act 1978. Report incidents to the police and be prepared to make a statement.
• You may be able to recover the costs of damage to your vehicle through the small claims system.