TAXI drivers across Dudley borough are being urged to help tackle child sexual exploitation and keep children safe.

Hackney carriage and private hire drivers are being issued with information postcards highlighting warning signs to watch out for and what to do if they have concerns.

Dudley is also set to become the first local authority to run training for taxi drivers as part of a regional See Me, Hear Me campaign.

The postcards are being given out to members of the Dudley Private Hire and Taxi Association by chairman Shaz Saleem, encouraging the drivers to be the “eyes and ears” of the police and council officials.

They are being asked to look out for strange behaviour in a child or note if young people or groups of men are being dropped off at certain locations.

The cards also provide details of who to contact if they have any concerns.

Mr Saleem said: “Child sexual exploitation is not a problem here and we are working with the police and council as a partnership to make sure it doesn’t happen.

“It’s important to educate drivers and customers to spot the signs. We must learn lessons from places like Rotherham and through education make sure we don’t have similar problems.”

Councillor Richard Body, chairman of Dudley Council’s taxis committee, said: “Child sexual exploitation is a horrendous crime and it is important we all know how we can help protect children and young people by being able to spot the signs.

“By the nature of their work, taxi drivers can play a vital role in spotting and reporting suspicious behaviour.

"By providing them with the information they need so they can recognise the signs of potential exploitation, they can be our ‘eyes and ears’ as they go about their day to day work.

“We want them to help protect children by being vigilant, being aware of the signs they need to look out for and knowing how to report anything suspicious.”

Mr Saleem said content for the training was being put together and would be rolled out to taxi drivers shortly.