City's taxi licensing regime 'putting passengers at risk'

WOLVERHAMPTON ACCUSED OF 'UNDERMINING' OTHER COUNCILS BY 'EXPLOITING LOOPHOLE'

- JANE HAYNES News Reporter

BIRMINGHAM councillors have condemned the “lax” taxi licensing regime they claim has been operating for years in neighbouring Wolverhampton undermining their efforts to tighten up safeguarding for young passengers.

Following the Casey grooming gangs audit they have backed a recommendation to tighten loopholes and outlaw the awarding licences “out of area”.

Cllr Gareth Moore (Con, Erdington) told a full council meeting that licence seeking drivers in Birmingham had blatantly claimed they would try Wolverhampton if rejected “because they will give me one and I won’t have to do half the things you are expecting me to do”.

He said: “We as a council strive to have high standards in terms of our licensed taxi drivers but we are repeatedly undermined by other councils.”

His comments came in a debate focussed on the national inquiry ordered into child grooming gangs following the findings of a rapid review by Baroness Louise Casey.