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Newly released figures have revealed a sharp rise in reported sexual offences involving taxi and minicab drivers across London, raising serious concerns about passenger safety and regulatory oversight.
Data obtained through a Freedom of Information request by Sexual Abuse Compensation Advice shows that the Metropolitan Police recorded 70 arrests leading to charges against licensed drivers between January 2023 and December 2025.
Among these, 17 incidents took place during passenger journeys, highlighting risks faced by individuals while using taxi services. The offences ranged from sexual assault to rape and assault by penetration, with a noticeable increase year-on-year. In 2023, there were 10 reported cases, which rose significantly to 26 in 2024 and further climbed to 34 in 2025.
Passenger-related incidents also followed an upward trend, rising from zero in 2023 to six in 2024, before nearly doubling to 11 in 2025.
However, the majority of offences—52 out of 70—occurred while drivers were off duty. These included 31 cases of rape and three attempted rapes. Authorities also recorded 19 offences involving children, including two cases of rape involving girls aged between 13 and 15 in 2024.
Additional cases involved serious crimes such as sexual communication with minors, attempted rape, and the distribution of intimate images intended to cause harm or distress. Other offences included indecent assault and inappropriate contact with children under the age of 14.
Ellie Lamey, a specialist with Sexual Abuse Compensation Advice, described the findings as a “deeply concerning breach of trust,” noting that passengers rely on drivers for safety in what is often an enclosed and isolated environment. She added that many victims may hesitate to report such crimes due to fear or intimidation, suggesting the true scale of the issue could be higher.
In response, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police emphasized ongoing efforts to combat sexual violence across the city. These include enhanced victim support services, specialized training for over 23,000 officers, and expanded investigative teams targeting high-risk offenders.
The force is also working in collaboration with Transport for London and British Transport Police as part of broader initiatives like Operation Soteria, aimed at improving reporting rates and securing stronger outcomes for victims.
The findings have reignited debate over the effectiveness of current licensing and vetting systems for taxi and private hire drivers. Experts are increasingly calling for a standardized national framework to ensure stricter background checks and improved passenger safety measures.
As concerns grow, campaigners stress the importance of stronger safeguards to restore public confidence and protect vulnerable passengers across London’s transport network.
