Posted on the 1st October 2025 in PHTM News

LONDON CABBIES TRAINED TO SPOT AND HELP HARASSMENT VICTIMS

Taxi drivers in London are receiving special training to help them identify signs of harassment among passengers, in a joint campaign launched by taxi firm Freenow and the charity Stop Hate UK.

The initiative aims to support vulnerable commuters and equip drivers with the skills to handle sensitive situations.

The campaign comes as Stop Hate UK has seen a surge in reports of discrimination, including antisemitism, Islamophobia, and homophobia.

"People have a real genuine fear of leaving their homes, of going down their usual routes of commute, because the instances have just increased so much, that people feel an increased sense of vulnerability," said Kamaria Ahmed, training officer at Stop Hate UK.

While figures from the Metropolitan Police show a 17.4% drop in hate crimes between September 2024 and August 2025—down to just over 21,000 instances—the issue remains prevalent, with the highest proportion of reported offences occurring in Westminster.

The training is proving valuable for drivers. Brian McDonough, 59, a Freenow driver from Twickenham, described the lessons as "very important" for everyone involved.

He explained that the training "makes the drivers aware of what to do in a situation that maybe they've not been in before, or they've been in before, but not dealt with it."

The course focuses on how to assess and support passengers, "especially women and vulnerable people that may have been the victim of harassment while they were out on the street, or had been followed by somebody at the station."

Drivers are taught to offer support to visibly upset passengers and encourage them to contact the police or Stop Hate UK if an incident has occurred.

For Londoners, taxis offer a crucial sense of security. Following a recent incident of verbal abuse at a London Underground station, passenger Yatna said she felt safer taking a cab. "I would probably feel safer getting in a taxi because he'll pick me up and take me home, whereas on a Tube, that guy could have got on the same Tube as me and followed me home," she said.

Yatna now considers taxi drivers her "first port of call" in a dangerous situation, prioritising safety over cost. 


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