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”.
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”.
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.”
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.
Mr Kalanick hit back last week, claiming the legal action was “completely without merit and riddled with lies and false allegations”.
