Child exploitation guidance for taxi and private vehicle hire drivers

Missing children

Young people who run away from home are at increased risk of exploitation. Missing children may:

  • seem unusually emotional
  • have difficulty paying the full fare
  • be trying to get to a station or airport
  • be reluctant to discuss their destination

Additional safeguarding

  • If you refuse to take a young person tell police, hospital staff, family or security staff why you cannot take them so that they’re given the necessary support .
  • Keep a record of any refusals; dates, addresses, phone numbers and descriptions of customers etc. 
  • Always get a specific address from passengers.

Don’t hesitate. Information, however small it may seem, can help police build a bigger picture of what’s going on.