Uber accused of sex attacks cover-up

UBER has hit back at claims by the police that it has been covering up sex attacks by its drivers.

Last night a letter emerged accusing the firm of failing to report incidents by its drivers to the police.

Inspector Neil Billany, head of the Metropolitan Police’s taxi and private hire unit, has expressed “significant concerns” that the firm is picking and choosing what incidents to report to the police to protect its reputation.

It alleges a driver committed a sex offence on a passenger and was allowed to continue in his job but later committed a second offence.

Uber says the first incident was when a driver hugged a passenger and the second involved the same driver touching a passenger’s leg. It has expressed “surprise” at the letter as it says it works with the police and has even created a dedicated unit to tackle any incidents, which is run by former Met officers.

In the letter, released under the Freedom of Information Act, the officer claims Uber is “deciding what to report” and only informing police of “less serious matters” that would be “less damaging to its reputation”.

In the letter, which was originally sent to Helen Chapman the Head of Taxis and Private Hire at TFL, Insp Billany claims the police have not been informed of six alleged sex assaults on passengers by the company, two suspected public order offences and an alleged assault.

He said the victims had been given assurances by the firm that their alleged attacks would be reported.

Uber says it is up to the individual to report crimes to the police and that they always assist with follow-up inquiries.

A spokesman said: “While we were surprised by this letter – as we don’t feel it reflects the good working relationship we have with the police and the extensive support we provide – we would welcome further collaboration and to establish how we can do more to strengthen our existing processes.”