If a taxi driver knows or believes that a child they are transporting will be sexually or criminally exploited during or after the journey, they are committing the offence of human trafficking.
Exploited children are usually too terrified and ashamed to ask for help themselves. Taxi drivers are in a unique position to notice when all may not be right with passengers in their vehicle. They can pass their concerns on, and potentially save a child from exploitation.
Things to spot
Taxi drivers and ride shares
Is the child:
- travelling alone or unfamiliar with the local area
- travelling at unusual hours, for example during school time, early in the morning or late at night
- travelling to multiple destinations in one day or night
- travelling long distances and paying for an expensive journey that they could not afford by themselves
- paying for journeys in cash or prepaying, or carrying lots of cash
- anxious, frightened, angry, showing signs of neglect or displaying other behaviour that makes you worried
- using words describing criminal or sexual activity
- being collected and taken to hotels, bed and breakfasts or parties at odd times, especially if they have no luggage
- getting picked up from other cars
- looking uncomfortable, worried, frightened or distressed in the company of adults
- in a vulnerable state due to excessive drink or drugs, don’t know where they are going and are accompanied by adults
- being dropped off at any location that causes you concern
- getting taken frequently to the same place where the activity is suspicious
- getting taken to A and E or clinics accompanied by someone who is not their parent
Car hire
As a member of staff working in a car hire business, is the child:
- being instructed or controlled by another individual
- appearing guarded around particular individuals
- anxious, frightened, angry, showing signs of neglect, or displaying other behaviours that make you worried
- accompanied by another individual with suspicious booking information