Halifax police have released new details about their investigation into a string of alleged sexual assaults by cab drivers, confirming there have been a dozen similar cases in the past five years.
Of the 12 cases, five were reported to police in the past three months alone, prompting a heated debate over taxi safety.
Charges have been laid in five cases, but three cases have been closed due to lack of what police call "solvability." Of the remaining four cases, three are still under investigation and one was closed at the request of the victim.
In each case, police say the suspects were described as men, in most cases with dark hair and between the ages 30 and 50, and they commonly spoke with an accent.
Police confirmed that in every case except one, the women involved were between the ages of 19 and 25, most were travelling in the front seat and the alleged attacks happened when there was only one passenger in the car.
"In many of the incidents, the (accused) insisted on no payment for the drive," police said in a statement, adding that the women were typically picked up at night in the downtown core during the spring and summer months.
"The offenders often asked personal questions and attempted to flatter the victim."
In a majority of the cases, the alleged sexual assaults involved touching in sexual manner and forcible kissing, police said.
Police also issued a series of safety tips:
— Call a taxi instead of hailing one to ensure there is a record of your request.
— Make a note or take a photo of the taxi company name and roof light number.
— Make sure the cab has a prominently displayed licence, driver photo and meter.
— Sit in the back seat on the passenger side of the taxi, the farthest position from the driver and curb-side in the event you need to exit quickly.
— Have your cellphone handy.
"If you ever feel uncomfortable while in a taxi, get out and call 9-1-1 immediately," the statement said.
There were two cases involving alleged sexual assaults in taxis in 2012, one in 2013, one in 2014, three in 2015 and five to date in 2016, police said.
