Hotel staff, taxi drivers, bar staff and others are being asked to play their part in protecting children from exploitation and abuse.

Officers from Nottinghamshire Police’s Child at Risk of Exploitation Team are visiting hotels across the county as part of Operation Makesafe – a nationwide initiative to protect vulnerable young people from harm.

Hotel workers, who are being spoken to in person and left with printed materials, are being urged to follow their instincts and report personal interactions that look or feel wrong.

Taxi drivers – often involved in transporting abusers and victims to these locations – are also being spoken to about these classic warning signs of abuse.

Key warning signs, also shared with licensed venues, include nervous looking young people in the company of older men, short notice bookings, guests with no luggage and suspicious activity in and around bedrooms.

Detective Sergeant Adam Taylor, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “I believe that people generally have very good instincts about situations that don’t look or feel right, so this initiative is mainly about empowering them to act on those feelings by sharing some of the key warning signs with them.

“Things we urge them to look out for include older men in the company of teenage girls, or boys, who are clearly not related to them; children who may be intoxicated or uncomfortable in the company of adults; late-notice check-ins with no luggage, and multiple visitors going to and from the same room.

“These are all classic signs of child exploitation and it’s important that our hotel workers, taxi drivers, bar staff and others likely to come into contact with exploited children are aware of them and feel confident to act.

“We really can’t have too much information so I encourage anyone who has concerns to call us immediately via 101 or 999 so we can investigate.

“Sometimes there may be a perfectly innocent explanation, but if we can protect even one vulnerable young person from harm this initiative will have been worthwhile.”

Hotels, drivers and other venues are also being advised of the importance of retaining CCTV, incident logs and refusal records for further investigation.”

Above all they are being asked to report suspicious behaviour to the police by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency.

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Taxi drivers in Conwy are urging the local council to amend regulations on wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs), claiming current rules are causing "serious problems" for both drivers and disabled passengers.

A petition launched by Patryk Majeran argues that the council's insistence on seven-seater WAVs with side-access ramps is "extremely expensive," discourages drivers from entering the trade, and ultimately reduces the number of disability-friendly taxis available.

"While we fully support ensuring accessibility for wheelchair users," the petition reads, "the current regulations are causing serious problems for drivers, businesses, and passengers alike."

The petition highlights several issues with the current regulations:

• High Cost: The petition claims the mandated seven-seater WAVs with side access can cost upwards of £60,000, making them financially prohibitive for many drivers. Financing options are also said to require significant deposits and hefty monthly payments.
• Limited Options: The side-access requirement is said to exclude electric WAVs, as the batteries are typically located under the floor where ramps would be installed. This eliminates environmentally friendly options from the market.
• Unsuitable for All: The petition argues that the large, high-off-the-ground vehicles are difficult for some elderly or mobility-impaired passengers to enter and exit. They propose allowing smaller, more manoeuverable WAVs with rear access for these individuals.

The petition proposes a more inclusive approach, suggesting the council consider:

• Rear-Access WAVs: These are said to be more affordable, widely available, and equally functional for wheelchair users.
• Smaller WAVs: Catering to those who prefer smaller, easier-to-enter vehicles.
• Proportional WAV Requirements: Distributing the requirement for WAVs amongst taxi businesses in a way that reflects their size.

The petition concludes by urging Conwy Borough Council to modernise its taxi licensing regulations to create a "more accessible and equitable future" for all residents.

A Conwy County Council spokeswoman acknowledged the petition and stated that the council takes such petitions seriously as a measure of local concern.

The petition is available for signature at link here: https://shorturl.at/7vrqg

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Taxi drivers in Belfast have issued a desperate plea for urgent action to alleviate the city's chronic traffic congestion.

The Licensed Taxi Operators Association (LTOA) is calling for the immediate opening up of bus lanes to taxis, a move they argue could significantly improve traffic flow.

The city has been plagued by severe rush-hour traffic, particularly in the evenings, for months.

The LTOA expressed disappointment at Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd's announcement that a plan to allow taxis into certain bus lanes would not be implemented until after Christmas.

"The city needs help now," the LTOA stated. "Congestion is severely impacting our ability to serve customers and is hindering the city's economy."

They proposed a range of short-term measures, including allowing Class A taxis to use all city centre bus lanes for a year, while excluding Class C taxis due to their lack of clear identification.

The LTOA emphasised that while long-term solutions like improved public transport are essential, immediate action is required to ease the current crisis.

They argued that allowing taxis into bus lanes would not only benefit drivers but also passengers and local businesses.

Minister O'Dowd acknowledged the traffic issues and urged the public to consider alternative modes of transport.

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Plans are in the pipeline for a single set of taxi fares to apply across Cumberland. 

Currently hackney carriages in the local authority area still operate under the table of taxi fares agreed by their relevant former local authority – Allerdale, Carlisle or Copeland.

Now Cumberland wants to introduce a single set of fares and wants to hear what people think.

The proposed table of fares will be considered at a meeting of the regulatory committee in the new year, in the meantime a consultation is running until January 8. 

If taxi operators want to put forward alternative proposals, they are asked to provide full reasoning and figures if possible.

Only responses received by the licensing authority will be taken into consideration.

Portfolio holder for licensing and regulatory services, Cllr Bob Kelly said: “I would encourage anyone with views on this matter to have their say and respond to the consultation with their thoughts. 

“Those wanting to give their views should do so via the purpose-built consultation, as responses outside of this will not be presented to the licensing authority.”

To give your views on the proposed table of taxi fares complete the online consultation at: https://consult.cumberland.gov.uk/policy/proposed-table-of-taxi-fares-cumberland/

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Huyton father-of-two, Gary Gregory, 40, faces a bleak Christmas after a tree fell on his taxi during Storm Darragh.

The incident occurred on Saturday, 7 December, just ten minutes after returning home from an airport pickup, Gregory heard a loud bang and rushed outside to find the tree sprawled across his taxi on Cromford Road.

Images depict the devastating damage caused by the tree. The roof of the taxi caved in under the weight, and the back window shattered.

"We're absolutely distraught," Gregory said. "Two weeks before Christmas, and this is my only source of income. I was about to head out for another shift when I heard the crash and saw the tree on top of my car.

"I don't know when I will be back on the road now. I can't believe this happened."

In a display of heartwarming solidarity, Gregory's fellow Liverpool taxi drivers have launched a fundraising effort to get him back on the road before Christmas.

"We're trying to help him out because insurance might not cover everything," explained Gary Culshaw, 39, a fellow taxi driver from Fazakerley.

"We're raising money to get him back on the road so he can support his family. With the cost of living crisis, things are already tough, and being unable to work would be a disaster for him.

"He's worried about providing for his children, and that's what inspired us to help."

Culshaw continued: "We understand everyone's struggling right now, but any contribution you can make will go a long way.

"Let's help Gary get back on his feet and ensure his family has a happy Christmas."

Donations can be made through the GoFundMe page set up for Gary: https://shorturl.at/q1s2T

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