TAXI drivers in Burnley are being told that they must complete a course on how to spot the signs of child sexual exploitation or face being hauled off the roads.

All new cabbies and would-be operators in Burnley would need to complete a council-approved course costing £15 before they obtain a licence from the authority.

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And existing drivers and operators have until the end of December to pass the same exam, at no cost to themselves.

Taxi representatives are understood to be unhappy at the move, which when it has been was raised in local liaison forums.

But town hall chiefs, who said they have the backing of Lancashire Police and Crime commissioner Clive Grunshaw, insist cabbies have a vital front-line role in the battle against child sexual exploitation.

Borough licensing manager Peter Henderson said: “Everyone has a role to play in tackling child exploitation. Taxi drivers can find themselves in situations where they are with young people who could be in a vulnerable state or who could be in need of help.

“We want all our drivers and operators to be better informed about the issue of child exploitation and people trafficking and be able to act in a positive way if necessary.”

He has told the trade it would give their members basic knowledge and information regarding how to approach the issue and introduce “best practice” guidance so the industry could work with police and other agencies.

Opposing the scheme at a taxi task group, Charlie Oakes, representing hackney carriage drivers, said: “It is the responsibility of the council to deal with child sexual exploitation and is not something that taxi drivers should be forced to do.”

Mohammed Arif, of Burnley Private Hire Association, said he had didn’t think it was necessary to train drivers in recognising the signs.

The courses would be run at Burnley College, the borough’s licensing committee has heard, and would cost £7,000 overall. So far £2,000 has been allocated from the taxi licensing budget and discussions are ongoing with community safety partnerships, the LPCC and children’s partnership boards over the rest of the funding.

Councillors will discuss the policy at a town hall meeting on Thursday (Aug18).