Some private hire firms in Wycombe failing to report concerns of drug trafficking crimes immediately
Members of Wycombe Council have aired concerns over some private hire firms who are not alerting police when there are suspicions that vulnerable children are being used to traffic drugs.
In some cases of drug trafficking, criminals use vulnerable young people to traffic illegal substances by way of private hire vehicles.
If a driver of a private hire vehicle or taxi becomes suspicious of such activities, they are told to contact the police so they are able to intercept, bring criminals to justice and help vulnerable children who are being exploited.
It has now come to light that “protocol” among some local private hire firms is that a journey should be completed first before reporting the crime to the authorities.
The revelation was made by Conservative Councillor, Graham Peart, during a Communities and Localism Select Committee, on Thursday, 24 September, which was made available for viewing via the council's website.
Cllr Peart stressed that many firms do not fail in reporting serious crime, but added: “In the past, and still currently, taxi companies are being used to assist those involved in illegal activities – particularly the delivery of drugs and sometimes child trafficking.
“Certainly in Wycombe, it’ll be a teenager or sometimes two will be collected, they don’t know where they are being taken, they’re taken first of all to collect the drugs and then to a series of addresses to deliver them, collect the money and then to drop that off.
“Most companies do report [it] and are brilliant but there is always one or two that don’t. But the protocol has been that the taxi driver should continue the run and not interrupt it, report back to their base and then the company should inform the police who can pick it up because they have the addresses.
“If all taxi drivers and companies reported to the police it would close this off. But I understand it is still happening.
“What encouragement can you give to taxi companies to follow the protocol and stop this hideous practice?”
Transition Head of Licensing, Cemeteries and Crematoria, Lindsey Vallis, said mandatory training for drivers included knowledge about drug trafficking across “county lines” and reporting such instances to protect “vulnerable children and adults”.
Vallis said: “It’s absolutely what we’re here to try and prevent. We work really closely with the police and any intelligence we receive we will actively follow up, taking robust action against companies and drivers where there is fault.
“If we receive information directly from a member of the public, we will work with the police to undertake joint enforcement activities where appropriate.”
