London taxi drivers are being given specialist training to recognise signs of harassment and support vulnerable passengers, thanks to a new partnership between ride-hailing firm Freenow and the charity Stop Hate UK.
The initiative comes amid growing concerns over passenger safety and a rise in reports of discrimination, including antisemitism, Islamophobia, and homophobia.
Aiming to Protect Passengers
The training equips drivers with the skills to respond to sensitive situations and provide reassurance to those at risk.
Kamaria Ahmed, training officer at Stop Hate UK, said:
“People have a real genuine fear of leaving their homes, of going down their usual routes of commute, because the instances have just increased so much, that people feel an increased sense of vulnerability.”
Although Metropolitan Police figures show a 17.4% drop in hate crimes between September 2024 and August 2025—down to just over 21,000 reported incidents—the issue remains serious, with Westminster recording the highest proportion of cases.
Drivers Welcoming the Training
For drivers, the training is proving vital.
Brian McDonough, 59, a Freenow driver from Twickenham, described the lessons as “very important” for both drivers and passengers.
He explained:
“It makes the drivers aware of what to do in a situation that maybe they’ve not been in before, or they’ve been in before, but not dealt with it.”
The course focuses on teaching drivers how to assess situations, support upset passengers, and encourage victims of harassment to report incidents to the police or Stop Hate UK.
A Safer Option for Londoners
For many Londoners, taxis provide a crucial sense of safety.
Passenger Yatna, who was recently verbally abused at a London Underground station, said she would now choose a cab over public transport in vulnerable situations.
“I would probably feel safer getting in a taxi because he’ll pick me up and take me home, whereas on a Tube, that guy could have got on the same Tube as me and followed me home,” she explained.
She now considers taxi drivers her “first port of call” if she ever feels threatened, adding that safety comes before cost.
Building Trust Through Training
The campaign highlights the growing role of taxi and private hire drivers in protecting passengers, especially women and vulnerable people. By partnering with Stop Hate UK, Freenow hopes to ensure that its drivers not only provide a service but also act as a safe refuge for those facing harassment.
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