Under consideration PE1961: Make it a specific offence to assault, threaten or abuse a private hire or taxi driver while at work
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to expand the Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Act 2021 to include private hire and taxi drivers by:
creating a specific criminal offence of assaulting, threatening or abusing private hire or taxi drivers while they are engaged in private hire or taxi work; and
considering such offences as aggravated when the offence is committed whilst the driver is enforcing a licensing or operational condition.
Previous action taken
We have raised and discussed this issue with Jackson Carlaw MSP and with Katy Clark MSP.
Background information
The Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Act 2021 created a new offence for situations where a retail worker is assaulted, threatened or abused while engaged in their work. The offence can result in a fine, with penalties escalating to a prison sentence, and with aggravating factors adding the potential for a more significant fine or sentence. The offence is considered as aggravated if the worker is assaulted, threatened or abused while enforcing a statutory age restriction (such as alcohol or tobacco sales).
We believe that a similar offence is required to protect private hire and taxi drivers while at work.
This petition is now under consideration by the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee
76 signatures