Vertical Markets

Taxi havens

by Mark Rowe

Stevenage Borough Council and Hertfordshire Police have joined together to launch a new scheme aimed at reducing the amount of taxi drivers falling victim to crime.

The new ‘Taxi Safe Haven’ scheme seeks to encourage licensed taxi drivers to carry out early risk assessments on their passengers, particularly if the passenger is under the influence of alcohol. If the driver does have any concerns, four locations have been identified where drivers can go early in the journey to leave the passenger and if need be, await emergency response in greater safety.

According to PC Mohammed Alam of Hertfordshire Constabulary: “The Safe Havens will hopefully change the way drivers think about their fares. Rather than waiting for a potentially nasty situation to get worse, they will be encouraged to carry out an early risk assessment and go to one of the havens to seek police assistance before things escalate.”

“Policing strategies are being developed and implemented throughout Stevenage in order to keep people safe, catch criminals and reduce the risk of anti-social behaviour. By working together alongside our partner agencies, we are succeeding as a community in tackling the risks of crime and disorder.”

Councillor Richard Henry, Stevenage Borough Council’s Executive Member for Safer and Stronger Communities said: “The local taxi companies within Stevenage play a crucial part in maintaining the local economy and are a valued source of intelligence to help make Stevenage a safer neighbourhood. The ‘Taxi Safe Haven’ project emphasises our commitment to working co-operatively with the police, taxi services and local businesses to ensure community safety.”

The four haven locations are:

Esso garage, Lytton Way, Stevenage, SG1 1HH
ASDA petrol station, Monkswood Way, Stevenage, SG1 1LA
Tesco petrol station, London Road, Stevenage, SG2 8DT
Sainsbury’s petrol station, Hitchin Road, Stevenage, SG1 4AB

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