Walsall taxi drivers to be trained to spot child abuse signs
Walsall Council plans to train taxi drivers to spot signs of child sexual exploitation (CSE).
The council, which has already trained teachers and doctors to spot signs of CSE, will now train hackney carriage and private hire drivers.
Exact details for the training are still being decided. Taxi drivers will be trained and asked to listen out for nicknames being used, addresses being discussed or particular vehicles being described.
They will then pass on any information they have to West Midlands Police or the council.
Training will be free to current drivers while new applicants will have to pay £10.40.
The matter was discussed at a licensing and safety meeting, where Councillor Aftab Nawaz asked for some flexibility over when the training can take place.
No decision was made at the meeting to allow time for more discussions.
Councillor Nawaz, a member of the licensing and safety committee, has now confirmed the training will be going ahead.
"As far as I am aware it is set in stone," he said.
