Who counts as a child or adult at risk, county lines, warning signs and how and where to report concerns.
The section in short
This section explains how to protect children and adults at risk from harm and abuse. As a driver you may notice things others miss, so you need to know the warning signs and who to tell. SERU questions often ask about ages, county lines and phone numbers.
Who is at risk
Safeguarding is about protecting children and adults at risk from abuse or harm. In law, anyone under 18 is a child. Every child is vulnerable because they rely on adults and find it harder to protect themselves. An adult at risk is over 18 and needs extra care and support, perhaps due to age, disability or mental illness. TfL also offers online safeguarding training. (Page 43)
Children travelling alone
When a child travels without an adult, check that your operator knows about it. Find out who is collecting the child at the drop-off point. Your operator should tell you that person's name. With every passenger, keep your behaviour professional and think about how your actions might affect them. (Page 43)
County lines
County lines is a type of criminal exploitation. Gangs and organised criminals make young people, including children, sell drugs for them. They are often made to travel between counties by train, taxi or PHV. Mobile phone lines keep them in touch with others in the drug trade. You might be the driver on one of these trips. (Page 43)
Warning signs
Watch for young or vulnerable people taken to hotels or possible brothels, especially at odd hours. Other signs include a young person meeting a stranger from online, or a child who seems scared around adults. Look for signs of abuse or neglect, poor clothing or hunger, or adults putting a drunk or drugged young person in your car. An adult whose choices or money someone else controls may be at risk. (Page 44)
What you should do
If you see signs of abuse, or someone tells you about it, tell both your operator and the police. Call 101, or 999 in an emergency. Keep a written or recorded note: dates, times, what happened, and the names, addresses and descriptions of the people involved. Stay alert, care about their well-being, listen, and reassure them by being kind and professional. (Page 44)
Other places to report
If going to the police does not feel right, other services can help. Crimestoppers takes anonymous reports. The NSPCC deals with concerns about children. The Modern Slavery Helpline handles exploitation and trafficking. You do not have to give your name, but the more detail you share, the more useful your report will be. (Page 45)