He trained taxi drivers to become spies.

(Baonghean.vn) - Taxi drivers in towns and cities across the UK are being trained to become amateur “spies” in their local communities. This is part of the “preventive” anti-terrorism policy in the foggy country.

Taxi drivers are trained to identify terrorists. Photo: Reuters.

Dartford Council was the latest local authority to introduce mandatory “knowledge” tests for taxi drivers, while other cities such as Yorkshire and Manchester have introduced passenger “spying” training for drivers.

The city of Calderdale in West Yorkshire even requires new drivers to undergo “criminal and terrorist recognition” training before being granted a driving license, while experienced drivers must attend the same training every three years.

“Taxi drivers play a really important role. They can be our eyes and ears,” said Jo Richmond, an official at Calderdale council.

A document on countering extremism published by the Association of Local Governments in December 2015 stated: “Taxi drivers have a unique access to society. By carrying passengers, they can observe and listen to information that security agencies cannot.”

Manchester City Council also released a handbook in 2015 to raise awareness among taxi drivers about reporting crime and reporting any suspicious activity by any passengers to the police.

However, the National Taxi Association has criticised the training programmes. “We don’t just have to spot sex offenders, we now have to learn to spot terrorists. All these courses and programmes are imposed. At the end of the day, we are just taxi drivers,” said Wayne Casey, a member of the association.

Lam Vy

(According to RT)