It's Official, Uber Driver Sexual Attacks On Passengers Have Risen By 50% According To MPS FOI Request.

It's been almost 3 weeks since the MET release the Uber driver sexual assaults on customers FOI. We were promised that this report would feature in the Daily Mail. It now appears the Mail has changed their mind and the story looks like it's been shelved. 

But not all is lost, Taxi Leaks has acquired the relevant facts and will today publish the full story.

On the 7th of April 2017, a request was made to the Metropolitan Police service (MPS) under the Freedom of Information Act asking simply for the number of reported sexual assaults, by private hire drivers working for the operatorUber, or have had the operator Uber stated as part of the witness statement. 

Quite straightforward, the MPS should be Impartial, have nothing to hide or cover up. It was felt that the answer would be returned in the legislated time frame. 

But this was not to be. 

On the 10th of April we were given a reference number of 2017040000271, and informed that the request would be considered in accordance with the freedom of information act 2000 and that we could expect a response within the statutory timescale of 20working days, as defined in the act. 

By the 11th of May, we still hadn't had a reply so a reminder was sent. This was acknowledged by the MPS later that day.

A week later (18th May) we still hadn't had a reply so another reminder was sent.

We heard nothing until the 26th May.

We were now informed that a reply had been drafted but was waiting approval (from whom they never said!).

We then sent another reminder on the 9th of June, that the request was long overdue and that by law we should of had a response back by this time.

3days later, we were informed that an internal review would now take place and there was a caveat saying that under the code of practise, there was no time limit in relation to the completion of said review.

On the 13th, just one day later we were reminded by the MPS that the request was still in the approval stage.

On the 28th of June, we were informed that in regards to our request, no information had been provided and also no refusal notice had been given, therefore the MPS had not complied with the requirement of section 10 of the act.

Inquiries were made by the information manager and we were now informed that a reply was currently being drafted.....even though we had already been told a draft had been completed but was waiting for approval.

Then on the 29th June...we finally get a reply. 

It stated that from Feb 16 to Feb 17 there had been 48 sexual offences recorded were Uber was referenced in a crime report for a private hire journey-related sexual offence- in London. 

Bingo. 

So now we can positively say that the truth is Uber related serious sexual assaults including rapes, has this year increased by 50% going up from last years 32, to this years 48.

What you also have to remember is that according to the Mets own statistics backed up by reports from the Haven Rape Crisis centre and Susie Lamplugh trust, only 10% of all sexual attacks get officially reported to the police. This would point to the fact that there could be approximately 12 serious sexual assaults on a weekly basis in London Uber PHVs alone. 

What we also need to remember here is the way statistics are massaged. 

If a driver has the app turned of and has touted the victim, then this is not added to the list.

If the journey finishes outside the Met, this attack would not be added to the London statistics even though the journey started in central London.

We are still awaiting TfL's statistics on Uber sexual attacks promised in May. 

Tweet

Subscribe to receive free email updates: