Talking taxi

Gloucestershire Crimestoppers has launched a new campaign to target taxi drivers in an effort to gain more intelligence about criminals operating in the county.

Posters have been put up at taxi ranks throughout Gloucestershire appealing to taxi drivers to call 0800 555 111 anonymously if they have information about suspicious passengers. Our plan is to tap into the knowledge of drivers who suspect their taxis may be being used by criminals. Flyers bearing similar information are also being distributed to taxi drivers.

"We know from the police that some criminals routinely use taxis and private hire cars to travel to or from a crime or to courier stolen property, drugs or other illegal goods around Gloucestershire," said Darren Stevens, who runs Gloucestershire Crimestoppers marketing group.

"We hope our new publicity campaign inspires taxi drivers to use the anonymity offered by Crimestoppers to pass on any information about suspicious people using their cabs," he added.