Advice for the Taxi Trade - County Lines Gangs
To help safeguard vulnerable children and protect them from gangs, the °¬˛ćAƬ Office, Institute of Licensing and CrimeStoppers are working to increase awareness among taxi and private hire vehicle drivers, and licensing staff, of the signs to spot a potential victim. County Line gangs are still very active even during COVID-19 lockdown period.
Thousands of children and teenagers - some as young as 12 years old - may be being exploited by criminal gangs to carry drugs to coastal and market towns.
Many of these children travel in taxis or private hire vehicles in a criminal activity known as 'county lines'. Taxis are a popular form of transport for children being exploited by 'county line' gangs.
Children may make the whole journey between the city and town in a private hire vehicle or taxi, or else use one for part of the journey
To help safeguard these vulnerable children and protect them from gangs, the °¬˛ćAƬ Office, Institute of Licensing and CrimeStoppers are working to increase awareness among taxi and private hire vehicle drivers, and licensing staff, of the signs to spot a potential victim.
The signs to spot are:
• A child, normally 14-15 years old, but can be as young as 12 travelling a long train journey alone
• They may be from another area, so may not be familiar with an area (may look lost) and may have an unfamiliar accent for the local area
• They may be travelling during school hours or unusual hours (e.g. late in the evening)
• An obvious relationship with controlling, older individuals
• Suspicion of self-harm, physical assault or unexplained injuries
• Excessive receipt of texts or phone calls.
There are online posters provided by the °¬˛ćAƬ Office to help taxi and private hire vehicle drivers and booking staff recognise the signs to spot potential victims. Taxi drivers who spot a vulnerable young person should report their concerns to CrimeStoppers.
Link to posters:-
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/county-lines-posters-for-taxi-and-private-vehicle-hire-staff?utm_source=HO%20email&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=County%20Lines&utm_term=taxis&utm_content=Posters