Private hire sexual assault stats set for release “later this month” says London Mayor
Updated: Jan 23, 2020
Latest sexual assault figures relating to London’s private hire industry will be published “later this month” according to the London Mayor.
The report, which will include data from 2018, was due for release by the end of 2019, but has been delayed as data is still being checked and verified.
In 2017 a total of 21 private hire drivers faced charges for sexual offences against fare paying passengers reported to the Metropolitan and City of London Police.
There were zero cases involving licensed taxis in the capital during the same time period.
Of the 21 drivers charged for the 24 offences in 2017 (three drivers faced multiple charges), all were licensed private hire drivers at the time of the offence (including booked and unbooked journeys).
Of the 21 licensed private hire drivers:
Seven were convicted and no longer hold a private hire driver's licence
Four are awaiting court outcomes and are not currently licensed (information correct as of December 2018)
Nine were found not guilty. One of these drivers currently holds a private hire driver's licence
One was found guilty of one offence, and is awaiting trial for a separate offence. This driver no longer holds a private hire driver's licence.
This month Conservative Assembly Member, Keith Prince, has pushed the London Mayor for the latest figures for 2018.
The London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, said: “The 2018 Taxi and Private Hire journey-related sexual offences will be published later this month. Publication has been delayed as data is still being checked and verified.”
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