Taxis against Trafficking

Much to our excitement, we have just launched Stop the Traffik’s ‘Taxis against Trafficking’ campaign in Canterbury!

This campaign has been implemented in over 20 towns and cities across the UK, it is accredited by the Home Office and aims to equip taxi drivers to help them identify and report signs of human trafficking and concerning behaviour via a confidential hot-line.

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  • Taxis have been used to transport victims of trafficking to and from situations where they have been abused, Taxis are the eyes and ears of our community and they operate around the main transport links such as stations, airports and coastal ports.
  • As a result, wherever the campaign has been launched Taxi drivers have been reporting concerning activity to police as well as creating awareness with passengers.

Some examples from the launch of the campaign, October 2012:

  •  Brighton: while talking to the local ACT group, two taxi drivers reported suspected incidences of human trafficking, which have been relayed to the police.
  •  Chichester: after the local ACT group made a presentation to a forum of taxi drivers, three drivers recalled signs of human trafficking with recent passengers and reported these to the police.
  • Norwich: as a result of speaking with the local ACT group, four taxi companies are now displaying posters and stickers in their waiting rooms and taxis.
  • The Department of Justice in Northern Ireland is considering supporting the campaign, and Glasgow City Council have agreed to pilot it in Scotland.

 

To monitor  the progress of the campaign, increase publicity and to thank firms for helping take such a big step to making Kent a area hostile to human traffickers, we would like to publicize the names and contact details of participating firms to benefit the taxi community also.

  • With the cooperation of Canterbury City Council Taxi licensing authority, we hope to cover 500 out of 700 taxis operating in and around Canterbury in the next 12-18 months by providing them with the purpose made hot-line sticker for the cab and accompanying information.
  • timthumb (2)If you are a taxi firm interested in participating, want more information or want to donate to this campaign (each sticker costs £0.45), please fill out the sign-up/contact firm below. 

For more information see http://www.stopthetraffik.org/campaign/taxis

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