NEW rules requiring taxi drivers in Newport to undergo special training on spotting signs of sexual exploitation among children are set to be signed off.

The rules are being introduced following the Rotherham scandal, in which it was revealed at least 1,400 young people, mostly white girls aged between 11 and 15, had been victims of sexual abuse in the South Yorkshire town between 1997 and 2013.

Many of the criminals, the majority of whom were British-Pakistani men, had used taxis to pick up their victims from school and care homes.

Under the revamped policy, which is set to be formally signed off by Newport City Council's cabinet member for licensing and regulation Cllr Ray Truman on Thursday, October 12, all taxi drivers in the city will have to undertake a training course on spotting signs of abuse and protecting children who may be at risk.

The new rules will also mean anyone convicted of any sexual offence involving another person will not be granted a licence to drive a taxi, while operators will be required to record all details of a complaint made against either a driver or a passenger.

The policy also states concerns about alleged sexual behaviour or comments by drivers must be referred to the council within two days, while the details of any driver who has been the subject of three or more complaints within 12 months must also be passed to the authority.

Operators will also be required to have a formal policy in place around transporting children younger than 10 without an adult present.

Although about 95 per cent of drivers in Newport have already undertaken the training, any who fail to do so by the start of November will be suspended until they carry it out.

The council had also proposed banning drivers from using the bus lane and stops in Queensway, but this was scrapped following protests from taxi firms in the city, who said it would cause them to lose business and possibly put customers at risk as a result of having to cross the busy road.

View the policy at tinyurl.com/y8779d5u

Any suspected child sexual exploitation should be reported to police on 101, or 999 in an emergency.

Information can also be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org