TAXI Drivers in the South Hams are being offered a course to raise awareness of child sexual exploitation and vulnerable adults.

Drivers are in a privileged position of being the eyes and ears of the community, and sometimes this may include issues relating to vulnerable children and adults.

Cllr Hilary Bastone, executive portfolio holder for licencing, said: ‘It is absolutely crucial that we use every opportunity we have to safeguard these vulnerable groups of people. By using the vital knowledge of local communities, which is held by taxi drivers, we can help the drivers to know when to report situations they are uncomfortable with.’

This course, one of many nationally, comes after information from Devon and Cornwall Police identified an awareness opportunity in the south west.

Inspector Andrew Tomlinson from Devon and Cornwall Police said: ‘We are pleased that South Hams Council is providing this training for taxi drivers.

Experience across the UK tells us that there is very poor awareness of the risks of child sexual exploitation. Training of this type improves that awareness, particularly in a group of people who may see suspicious activity and are in a position to raise their concerns in the right way. Safeguarding is a force priority and we welcome this opportunity to work with partners in detecting and preventing this type of crime.

The two hour workshop will be held at South Hams Council’s offices at Follaton House in Totnes, and has been designed and developed to give all drivers an overview of how safeguarding can involve the taxi trade, what child sexual exploitation is, an insight into the trends used by the perpetrators and to give drivers the knowledge and confidence to report concerns.

Nick Parker from Ivy Cabs said: ‘I am sure that this initiative will be of great benefit as I suspect that along with the majority of people I have never previously considered that exploitation of this type was occurring locally and ignorance plays into the hands of those who commit these abominable crimes against vulnerable individuals.

‘The mere fact that my awareness has been raised will ensure that I am more watchful in the future and the workshop will provide me with the skills to recognise the signs.’

If you are a licenced taxi driver and you would like to get involved, the next training session is on Tuesday, February 2 between 10am and 12pm.