UBER does not have a licence to operate from Bournemouth, BCP Council has confirmed. 

The clarification comes after a 19-year-old woman was sexually assaulted by a man who claimed to be an Uber driver. 

The victim was sitting on the steps outside the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) in the early hours of Sunday, September 11, when the driver of a red hatchback offered her a lift, claiming to be a driver for transport firm. 

A spokesman for Uber confirmed they do not operate in Bournemouth, and added Uber has a number of safety features for passengers who are unsure about the legitimacy of their driver and their own safety. 

Read more: Woman locked in car and sexually assaulted by 'Uber' driver

This includes ‘Verify Your Ride’, which allows riders to use a four-digit PIN to ensure they are getting into the right vehicle and ‘Share My Trip’ which allows riders to share their location with loved ones or trusted people.  

Uber also provides an in-app emergency button and safety toolkit which includes a direct line to the police in case of an emergency and shares vehicle details and GPS location.   

“One of our team will always follow up with any rider who uses the emergency button,” the spokesman added. 

Cllr Mike Greene, ward councillor for Bournemouth Central, said: “This shocking event shows how careful people should be to ensure that they get the correct identification from anybody who claims to be a taxi or private hire car driver.   

“Real drivers won’t be reluctant to show it.” 

Bournemouth Echo: The BIC where the incident took placeThe BIC where the incident took place (Image: NQ)

The male driver of the red hatchback, described as Indian and aged in his mid-20s, offered to give the victim a lift home. 

The woman questioned whether the driver was a genuine Uber driver. When the man insisted that he was, she got in the vehicle.  

The driver proceeded to lock the doors and touched the victim inappropriately. She asked him to provide identification, which he was unable to do.   

He eventually drove her home, driving towards Bournemouth Pier, onto Lansdowne Roundabout before heading to Cemetery Junction. 

Anyone with information on the incident should contact Dorset Police at dorset.police.uk/contact or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55220148876.