What else isn't checked?

They may not do proper checks in case the council is seen to be infringing on their human rights.

Of course if there is a complaint and seen to be done by Rochdale Council, the victims might have to wait a few decades before they are believed . If you get what I mean Charly.

Why am I not surprised?

I hope the police announce the authorities who sanctioned the "transport providers".

Impractical Charly. Some taxis and coaches can do 50,000 miles a year depending on usage. That means renewed tyres and other worn parts frequently occur at varying intervals. How would you propose regular checks? How often? Who does it? Who pays? The list of how's and why's is endless. Each regulation needs a regulator and a staff to control and operate it. Who pays? You think tax fares are cheap at present? What do you think they would be under a regime as proposed? Insurance and tax comes under the law as it stands and everyone takes that risk as such is policed under the present system - taxis are not exempt. Draconian controls are fine - if 'you' can afford them.

Yes it is asking too much. Under the freedom of the individual to seek employment wherever and whenever he chooses the transient nature of taxi driving if further regulated would add untold amounts to the costs. Why would you think CRB checks or interviews on each and every employee (temp or otherwise) would work. It's not practical. There is only one way you could possibly alleviate most of the problem and that involves 'school buses' like the kind in the USA which are able to 'net' all those children in outlying areas or who for one reason or another are unable to get transport from their door. That costs money - a lot more than paying regular taxis and mini-coaches - and the cost would have to be borne by the Education Authorities. We don't have the money and therefore we have no option but to take risks and hope that we negate most of the problem, regardless we know that every now and then some kid somewhere is going to suffer.

It is worth checking though. A minibus taxi driver, stopped by police in Chadderton, was found to have a Czech-made self loading pistol, five live rounds of ammunition, and £2,300 in an envelope hidden in his minibus.

http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/districtnews/districtatog/10260920.Gun_runner_taxi_driver_jailed/

Good Lord, thats scary.
I do not see why taxi drivers who ferry children should not have CRBs, Especially very young and or vulnerable children. Minibuses perhaps provide more safety in numbers?

All extra costs will be passed onto the customer - you. But hey - be my guest. After all we all have money to burn don't we.

Up until now I took it that these checks were mandatory. Show's how wrong you can be.

I wholeheartedly agree Charly. I had to have a CRB check done whilst working for the council and so did all my colleagues, because we all dealt with the general public....none of them children

This is a complete abuse of the CRB process, which is meant to apply to those who will be ALONE with children and vulnerable adults - like taxi drivers.

Thus proving once again that the 'law' is an ass and the makers are the ass drivers. It will take less intelligent people to make most laws work properly - as the rest of us are so arrogant in our beliefs and methods we rarely get it right. It's all down to a personal interpretation - which is usually wrong. As I said in the first place - impractical. As is perfection.

Hinch wrote:read the newspapers.

How quaint ;-)

Bless.

MEN 25 Mar 2013. Article Excerpts: -


The teenagers are looking for ‘inappropriate behaviour,' as part of a crackdown by Rochdale council after the conviction of nine men last year for offences such as rape and sexual activity with a child


Teenagers are being asked to spy on taxi drivers in Rochdale in a bid to avoid a repeat of the child sex ring scandal


The young ‘mystery shoppers’ are being asked by council officials to catch taxi rides – in a bid to root out ‘inappropriate behaviour’ by potential sex abuser cabbies. It is part of a crackdown by Rochdale council on cab drivers and takeaway workers in the town…..


It is understood that licensing officials have been recruiting the teenagers from outside Rochdale – in a bid to ensure there are no recriminations for their participation in the scheme


….. the youngsters are also being asked to listen out for any ‘inappropriate behaviour or language’ used by cabbies and take-away workers


The intelligence-gathering youngsters will pass on any concerns to the licensing authority who will work with the police on any further action.


and something else about the teenagers 'looking' to see that badges are worn-displayed. Who would have thought teenage eyes were needed to monitor badging regulations