250
DNA Spit Kits for Taxi Drivers in Chiltern
Taxi drivers in Thames Valley's Chiltern district
have been issued with 250 DNA spit kits to help them improve their safety
and confidence while helping to tackle anti-social behaviour at the same
time.
The kits allow drivers to take a saliva sample from someone who spat at
them. The sample can then be forensically analysed to determine the DNA
of the person who spat at the driver.
The
spit kits form part of packs, which are supplied and funded by Chiltern
District Council and Thames Valley Police after a similar pilot project
was run in March to improve driver safety. The packs also contain a personal
alarm, a UV property marking pen and advice for drivers who become victims
of or witnesses to crime.
Police and the council have also issued drivers with stickers warning
would-be aggressors that they potentially face a criminal record if caught
which they can display in their taxi windows.
Dave Cherrington, neighbourhood inspector for Chiltern Local Police Area,
said: 'Taxi drivers have been hugely positive about the packs because
they make them feel safer and they have asked the community safety partnership
for more. The drivers are providing a very important service to the community
under often risky conditions and it is important that the authorities
help them to protect themselves from abuse and potential attacks. We’ve
given similar kits to bus drivers who are worried about people behaving
anti-socially and spitting at them, and taxi drivers could find themselves
in a similar situation.'
'We hope that these packs will make the drivers feel safer and be of practical
help to them, should they face trouble.'
'Residents have told us that anti-social behaviour is their top concern
in parts of Chiltern and working together with key groups in the community
is part of our strategy to tackle it.'
All communities in Buckinghamshire have dedicated neighbourhood policing
teams - there are 57 across the county - which work in partnership with
the local councils, fire service and community and residents’ associations
represented on the local Neighbourhood Action Groups (NAGs).
Mr Masud Ahmed, chairman of the Chiltern Taxi Drivers' Association, said:
'Working in partnership with the district council and the police is very
important to taxi drivers and I'm very encouraged to see that the authorities
care about us, although I hope we won't have to use these kits.
'We are service providers and it gives me pride to help get people home
safely and these kits will help our drivers to this with dignity.'
Picture: One of the stickers given to taxi drivers
