MORE than 160 taxi and private hire drivers across Sedgemoor have been given training in safeguarding vulnerable adults and children to help prevent Child Sex Exploitation (CSE).

Inquiries into recent high profile CSE cases have identified that taxi and private vehicles were used by perpetrators to transport victims.

A spokesman for Sedgemoor District Council (SDC) said: "We are committed to keeping residents safe, so safeguarding training has been made compulsory for all new drivers licensed by SDC.

"Existing drivers have also received the training via free workshops. Customers of Sedgemoor’s taxis can be assured that their driver understands the importance of safeguarding and how to deal with vulnerable passengers or situations that may arise."

The two and a half hour workshops were designed to give all drivers an overview of how safeguarding can involve the taxi trade; what child sexual exploitation is; what Human Trafficking is; an insight into the trends used by the perpetrators and to give drivers the knowledge and confidence to report concerns.