To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have (1) to review how common law police disclosure operates regarding licensed taxi drivers, and (2) to ensure that allegations against such taxi drivers are promptly reported by the police to the relevant local licensing authority.
Answered on
20 December 2021
Common Law Police Disclosure (CLPD) provisions are an operational matter for policing. The provisions allow forces to proactively provide (sensitive) personal data to a third party using common law powers, where appropriate. This includes – in certain circumstances - sharing information with a licensing authority where the individual in question is a taxi or private hire vehicle licence holder.
Chief officers should determine the implementation of CLPD provisions locally, in accordance with guidance published by the College of Policing and National Police Chiefs’ Council. They should also ensure close engagement with licensing authorities to allow for the exchange of information.
The Home Office and Department for Transport continue to facilitate join-up at the national level between policing and licensing bodies, in order to ensure these processes are understood and work as smoothly as possible at the local level.