TAXI drivers in West Devon are being offered free training to help keep vulnerable people in the community safer.

West Devon Borough Council is offering all licensed taxi drivers an opportunity to take part in a training course aimed at raising awareness of issues relating to child sexual exploitation (CSE) and vulnerable adults.  With this knowledge at their disposal taxi drivers could help make communities safer.  

The courses have been commissioned by West Devon District Council, following the success of previous safeguarding courses held at the beginning of the year, where a total of 51 licensed drivers attended the course.

West Devon’s lead member for licensing Cllr Jeff Moody said: ‘The previous course was a resounding success and we want to continue to build upon that to keep our residents safe. It is so important that we continue to provide this key training for those who work alongside vulnerable groups within our communities.’

The workshop, to be held at the council offices at Kilworthy Park in Tavistock, has been designed and developed to give all drivers an overview of how safeguarding can involve the taxi trades; what child sexual exploitation is, an insight into the trends used by the perpetrators and to give drivers the knowledge and confidence to report concerns.

Following the training, there have been at least three reports made to various safeguarding agencies by taxi drivers as a direct result of the training. 

If you are a licensed taxi driver and you would like to get involved, the next training session is to be held at Kilworthy Park on Thursday, June 23.

To reserve a place on a workshop, call 01803 861336 or email [email protected]