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Drunk passenger sexually touched private hire driver as in-vehicle camera helps police secure admission
A private hire driver was sexually touched by a passenger during a journey, in a case police say demonstrates the value of cameras fitted inside licensed vehicles.
PC Patrick Quinton, Taxi Cop for Avon and Somerset Police, said the incident happened in December and involved a locally licensed private hire driver and a drunken customer.
According to Quinton, the passenger made suggestive comments before sexually touching the driver. Police said the incident was particularly distressing for the driver.
Crucially for the subsequent investigation, the private hire vehicle was fitted with a camera. Quinton said officers were consequently able to identify and interview the suspect with strong supporting evidence.
The suspect admitted the offence and had no previous convictions. Police dealt with the matter by way of a Conditional Caution rather than prosecution through the courts.
As part of the conditions attached to the caution, the offender was required to attend a course and write a letter of apology to the private hire driver.
Quinton said: “The Caution may appear on standard and enhanced DBS checks, and could affect employment and travel opportunities.”
The case raises another aspect of driver safety within the taxi and private hire sector, where drivers can find themselves working alone with passengers, including customers who are intoxicated, particularly during night-time shifts.
In-vehicle CCTV and camera systems can provide evidence when allegations are made either against drivers or passengers. However, their use within licensed vehicles remains subject to licensing requirements and data protection considerations, meaning operators and drivers need to ensure any system complies with the rules applying in their licensing area.
Quinton added: “This incident was very distressing for the driver, and it shows the importance of having cameras in your vehicle.”
The incident also serves as proof that taxi and private hire driver safeguarding extends beyond protecting passengers. Drivers themselves can become victims of assault, abuse and other offences while carrying out their work, with recorded evidence potentially proving important when police investigate incidents where there may otherwise be conflicting accounts.
