WE ARE writing regarding the requirement in Poole for taxi drivers to attend a mandatory training course which covers, firstly, awareness of those with disabilities, both physical and mental, and, secondly, recognition of situations involving domestic abuse and human trafficking.

We refer to the article Drivers Training in the Echo on April 6 and the ensuing letter on April 15.

We congratulate Poole council on tackling these issues.

While we understand why taxi drivers are reluctant to give up three hours’ work and pay £20 for the course, we believe that this training will be of immense value to them, enabling them to deal confidently and professionally with vulnerable people.

It is common in most areas of work to have to complete health and safety and safeguarding courses and this type of training for taxi drivers is of vital importance and is already provided in many other authorities in the country.

In addition, we in the community should be very grateful to frontline workers, such as taxi drivers, who are acting as our "eyes and ears".

This course should enable them to spot any causes for concern and make them aware of how to alert the appropriate professionals easily.

It is also important that when drivers help in these matters, their contribution is recognised and rewarded.

The Poole branch of Soroptimist International has for many years included support for victims of domestic abuse as part of their action work and in 2009 founded the Purple Teardrop Campaign specifically to raise awareness of human trafficking and modern slavery.

Many people do not realise there are incidents of this here in Dorset.

For more information about our work, please see the following websites: http://sigbi.org/poole/ or purpleteardrop.org.uk.

JUANITA BYRNE-QUINN AND MARY CANN

Soroptimist International and Purple Teardrop Campaign volunteers