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| Uber is putting public 'at risk' after failing to report sexual assaults, accuse Met Police | Uber is putting public 'at risk' after failing to report sexual assaults, accuse Met Police |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Uber has been accused by the Metropolitan Police of failing to report its driver after one man on Uber's books was said to have sexually assaulted a passenger, only to go on and attack another passenger again. | |
| In a letter obtained by The Sunday Times, Inspector Neil Billany, head of Metropolitan Police’s taxi and private hire unit, said Uber was deliberately turning a blind eye to criminal activity carried out by its drivers by “deciding what to report” on the basis of what was “less damaging to its reputation”. | In a letter obtained by The Sunday Times, Inspector Neil Billany, head of Metropolitan Police’s taxi and private hire unit, said Uber was deliberately turning a blind eye to criminal activity carried out by its drivers by “deciding what to report” on the basis of what was “less damaging to its reputation”. |
| He said the ride-hailing app had “been made aware of criminal activity and yet hadn't informed the police”, keeping drivers who had committed offences on their books. | |
| The Met Police inspector said it [Uber] could have prevented a second attack by a driver who had been allowed to stay on following an allegation of sexual assault. The driver was said to have carried out a second “more serious” crime in his car. | |
| In a strongly worded letter, Mr Billany said he believed Uber had allowed situations to develop that “clearly affect the safety and security of the public”. | In a strongly worded letter, Mr Billany said he believed Uber had allowed situations to develop that “clearly affect the safety and security of the public”. |
| He said Uber had logged its criminal complaints with Transport for London rather than the police, which added up to seven months of delays for investigations to start. | |
| TfL said: “We have been in contact with the operator to ask them to respond to these concerns.” | TfL said: “We have been in contact with the operator to ask them to respond to these concerns.” |
| Among the severe crimes alleged to have been carried out by Uber drivers, but which the company has failed to report, was a road rage incident culminating in a driver bringing out pepper spray. | |
| Uber responded to the letter, obtained by a freedom of information act request, saying: "Uber keeps detailed records of all bookings, licensed drivers and vehicles, as well as details of complaints, and these are all available upon request from any police officer." | |
| Uber added that they believe "the choice of whether or not to make a police report should sit with the reporter/victim." | |
| This is the latest in a string of concerns and controversies surrounding the ride-hailing company. One of Uber’s largest investors filed a lawsuit accusing Uber’s former chief executive, Travis Kalanick, of concealing problems from the Uber board of directors. | This is the latest in a string of concerns and controversies surrounding the ride-hailing company. One of Uber’s largest investors filed a lawsuit accusing Uber’s former chief executive, Travis Kalanick, of concealing problems from the Uber board of directors. |
| Mr Kalanick hit back last week, claiming the legal action was “completely without merit and riddled with lies and false allegations”. | Mr Kalanick hit back last week, claiming the legal action was “completely without merit and riddled with lies and false allegations”. |