An Indian-origin taxi driver in the UK has been hailed as a hero for saving a 13-year-old girl from a paedophile and leading to the arrest of the offender while he had been grooming a potential victim.
On 20 February 2017, Mr Arora picked up a 13-year-old after she booked his taxi. After arriving at the destination, no-one arrived to meet her. Mr Arora became suspicious and he alerted a police officer who was parked nearby.
He then made a phone call to the person the girl had said was going to meet her and made recordings of the calls, which were later used as evidence in the court.
He then called his wife and shared his concern before passing the phone to the girl who eventually confided in Mrs Arora that her parents were not aware of her trip, Metro.co.uk reported.
Police arrested a man who allegedly used an online chat software to discuss kidnapping, sedating and raping victims.
Last week, 24-year-old Sam Hewings was sentenced to 5 years prison sentence for attempted abduction and distribution and making of indecent images.
Gloucester Crown Court heard police found a rucksack containing knives, duct tape and cocodamol tablets from his home at the time of his arrest.
Gloucestershire police were full of praise of Mr Arora.
“He undoubtedly saved harm from coming to the girl and provided vital evidence for the prosecution,” Det Con Ian Bennett said.
He was also presented with a certificate by the Cherwell District Council for an ‘outstanding achievement in safeguarding’ the community.
He saved his passenger from an unthinkable ordeal and had the presence of mind to record his calls with the would-be kidnapper, providing crucial evidence to the prosecution service
“He has clearly put his safeguarding training into action and I hope he displays his certificate in pride of place in his vehicle,” a council spokesman said.
Mr Arora received safeguarding training from the council in December 2016 and said: “The training was really useful. Because of the cases we read about on the safeguarding course I was able to recognise the signs and quickly spot that it was a grooming case.”
