New campaign launched to raise awareness of unlicensed taxis in Worksop

Posters and beer mats will be displayed in pubs and nightclubs across the town advising women to check their taxi driver is displaying the appropriate licensing identification before accepting a lift.

Safety messages from the campaign are also being shared on social media in an effort to reduce the risk of violence against women and girls across the town.

The project, being managed by Bassetlaw District Council, has been funded as part of a multi-agency project to make the streets safer for women and girls.

Working in partnership with the council, Nottinghamshire Police and Nottinghamshire County Council, Notts Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry successfully secured £550,000 from the Home Office's Safer Streets Fund.

The grant is part of a £23.5million funding pot nationally to help the Government reduce violence against women and girls and increase their safety.

The posters ask: "Who's driving you home tonight?" and informs the public that every Bassetlaw licensed vehicle carries a plate on the rear and inside of the vehicle which should be clearly visible to passengers.

Alongside photographs of what the licenses and plates should look like, it also warns passengers that drivers should be wearing an identification badge bearing their photo at all times. If they do not, then it is not a licensed vehicle.

Ms Henry said: "This campaign is aptly timed as we approach the festive season when our night-time venues become typically busier.

"It gives all passengers, particularly lone-travelling women and girls, practical advice to be able to distinguish between rogue and legitimate taxis - advice that could significantly reduce their risk of sexual violence.

"The perils of using an unlicensed taxi have been highlighted elsewhere in the country and the aim here is to make it significantly harder for anyone intent on causing harm.

"We take the safety of women and girls very seriously which is why we are ensuring this safety advice is communicated in the strongest and most effective way possible.

"I urge all passengers to heed this advice and in the event they cannot pre-book their taxi, ensure their driver has the necessary identification."

Chair of the licensing committee at Bassetlaw District Council, councillor Josie Potts, said: "You wouldn't risk your safety by using a doctor who didn't have any qualifications, or a gas fitter who wasn't registered.

"So please don't put yourself at risk by taking an unlicensed taxi.

"In Bassetlaw, you can be reassured that your licensed taxi driver has gone through a rigorous licensing process, including criminal record, medical and vehicle checks as well as safeguarding training."

Head of service for Nottinghamshire Women's Aid, Mandy Green said the campaign ensure women’s safety continues to be a “visible issue.”

“We appreciate Bassetlaw District Council continuously providing practical safer measures for women in our communities,” she added.