Fifteen London private hire drivers charged with allegations of sexual assault in 2018

Latest London private hire statistics have shown 15 private hire drivers charged with allegations of sexual assault in 2018.

In the report published by Transport for London (TfL), fifteen were licensed TfL private hire drivers at the time of the offence.

The report also highlights one licensed taxi driver, confirmed to be John Worboys, who was charged in 2018 and later convicted for a further four new sexual assaults on women.

John Worboys has not held a taxi licence since 2009, when he was convicted of 19 serious sexual assault offences against 12 women between 2006 to 2008. These four new assaults date back as early as 2000.

There were no other sexual assault charges against licensed black cab drivers in 2018.

According to TfL sources, of the 15 licensed private hire drivers:  

• Four were convicted and no longer hold an active private hire licence.

• Five are awaiting court outcomes, none of which hold an active private hire licence.

• Six were found not guilty, one of which was found not guilty for two separate offences on journeys booked through two different private hire operators.  None of these drivers currently hold an active licence.

In 2017 a total of 21 private hire drivers faced charges for sexual offences against fare paying passengers reported to the Metropolitan and City of London Police.

There were zero cases involving licensed taxis in the capital during the same time period.

Mandy McGregor, Head of Transport Policing and Community Safety at Transport for London, said: “We do not tolerate any crime or behaviour that makes passengers feel uncomfortable on any mode of transport, including while travelling by taxi or minicab. While we know the majority of taxi and private hire drivers operate safely and legally, we continue to work closely with the Metropolitan Police and City of London Police to improve the safety of taxi and minicab journeys in London. This includes our work to tackle taxi and private hire journey-related sexual offences, encouraging and making it easier for passengers to report incidents and investigating and taking action against offenders.

“We expect the highest standards of behaviour and any sexual behaviour by a licensed driver towards a passenger is completely unacceptable. We would urge anyone who experiences this to report it immediately to TfL and the police so it can be taken seriously and investigated.”

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