Taxi drivers in Kent will have to meet new standards after the Government introduced extra measures to keep passengers safe.

Criminal record checks every six months and training in safeguarding so cabbies can spot signs of potential abuse or exploitation are among the changes.

The new Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards, announced today by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, are to be implemented across the country as soon as possible by local authorities, which oversee taxi licensing.

They cover taxis and private hire vehicles, including app-based services, such as Uber.

The introduction of new standards follows historic cases of drivers abusing their position of trust.

Mr Shapps said: “We know the majority of drivers provide an important and safe service for communities, but in light of appalling incidents in places like Rochdale, Oxford, Newcastle and Rotherham, more must be done to protect passengers from those who abuse their position of trust.

“That’s why we’re looking to licensing authorities to enforce these rigorous new standards – ensuring drivers are fit to transport passengers in a safe environment and to stop those who aren’t."

In Newcastle in 2018, it was revealed that 60 taxi drivers had been suspended after an investigation into the abuse of vulnerable girls and young women.

And abuse scandals in Rochdale, Oxford and Rotherham all involved taxi drivers.

The measures introduced by the Government will also compel local authorities to make it easier for passengers to report concerns or suspicious behviour.

The changes have been met with a mixed reaction from drivers in Kent.

Neil McLennan, of iCars Swale Ltd, welcomed the news.

"We've got to be whiter than white to provide a safe service."

He said: "Taxi drivers need to be beyond reproach. People need to know who we are and feel safe getting into our cars.

"At the moment, DBS checks are done every three years, so I think it's a great idea to do them every six months. We've got to be whiter than white to provide a safe service."

In terms of safeguarding training, Mr McLennan said the firm, based in Trinity Road, Sheerness, was already doing it.

"The most important thing is making sure passengers are safe. If we've got someone in the back of the car who's at risk, maybe a child, we've got to be on the ball and know how to act on it. So it's great news for both."

Dartford taxi driver Steve Jones, who has worked in the borough for more than 30 years, was concerned about how much the changes would cost.

He said: "We get safety checks every three years and have to pay for them ourselves, usually about £40.

"Every three years is okay, or even every year I can understand, but every six months seems like it could cause trouble for some cabbies."

He added that drivers were already doing courses which they had to pay for themselves and do not get any money back.

"There should be some help in covering costs, but I understand some councils are strapped for cash at the moment," he said.

Other changes include drivers having to disclose whether they have held a licence in another area.

There is also a recommendation that local authorities consider the use of CCTV if it would be "beneficial or proportionate in their area".

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