Murdered woman's mum warns 'passengers still at risk'

Elaine Pickford and her son are calling for a change in the law

The family of a murdered woman have called for people with previous violent convictions to be banned from taxi driving.

Sian O'Callaghan was killed by Christopher Halliwell after getting into his taxi to leave a nightclub in Swindon on 19 March 2011.

Her mother Elaine Pickford has called for urgent action after new research shows that an estimated 90 taxi licences were granted to violent offenders since August 2022.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said they are "currently considering further options to improve safety around taxi licensing".

Ms Pickford is working with charity the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, which was set up to reduce abuse, aggression, and violence, with a specific focus on stalking and harassment after Suzy Lamplugh, who was born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, disappeared in 1986.

The trust uncovered through a Freedom of Information request to the government that an estimated 90 licences were granted to drivers with convictions for violent offences since August 2022.

Ms Pickford and the Trust say until there is a change in the law, passengers are still being put at risk.

Sian O'Callaghan was killed by driver Christopher Halliwell after getting into his taxi

"Sian was a very bright person, very bubbly, outgoing, had lots of friends," Ms Pickford said.

"She enjoyed life to the full. It's a cliché to say, but she was one of those people who everyone just really loved.

"It's still as surreal now as it was when it happened."

Liam O'Callaghan, Sian's brother, said working with the charity on changing the legislation has kept him going.

"What we tried as a family, following on from this tragedy, is to see something positive.

"That's what kept us sane as a family and moving in the right direction."

He added that the family's campaigning has been centred around improving safety for passengers.

Ms Pickford is heading to Westminster on Tuesday to speak at an event with the Trust to raise awareness about the issue.

Halliwell was jailed for life in October 2012

Emma Lingley-Clark, interim CEO of the trust believes “passengers are being put at risk due to inconsistent implementation of government guidance on safe licensing".

She said the government should "introduce national standards in law" to prevent drivers with violent histories from being allowed to work.

Saskia Garner, head of policy and campaigns at the trust, said: "While these driver numbers might seem low, we strongly believe that one incident of harm or violence is one too many.

"Elaine contacted us following the tragic death of Sian.

"We've been working with her for around eight years, calling on the government to tighten the licensing laws, and we're disappointed more hasn't been done in that time."

Halliwell, 57, was jailed for life in October 2012. He was later handed a whole-life sentence for the murder in 2003 of Becky Godden from Swindon.

'Highest-level background checks'

A spokesperson for the Department of Transport added: “Keeping passengers safe is the top priority, and drivers in England are already subject to the highest-level background checks.

"Before deciding to issue a licence, authorities must consult a national database which logs if someone has had a licence refused, suspended, or revoked.

“We are also currently considering further options to improve safety around taxi licensing.”