Sex offenders, arsonists and burglars are being handed licences to drive taxis in Canterbury.

The city council admits cabbies with convictions and cautions for serious offences - many of them for violence - have been granted permits to operate in the district.

Shocked Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield has now called for an immediate review of the authority's taxi licensing policy.

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"To learn that the people we trust to professionally escort us to our destinations have such convictions and cautions is deeply worrying," she said.

"The council must act immediately to review and rectify their licensing policy to ensure that everyone is safe.

"As a parent, I am particularly worried that children, young adults and vulnerable people are being put in harm’s way on their way to school, on their way home after a night out, or on their way to work."

The list of offences, obtained through a Freedom of Information request, covers new and renewed licences handed out to taxi and private hire vehicle drivers since 2015.

Fifteen of the 38 drivers who admitted past discretions owned up to violent offences, ranging from common assault and ABH to affray and causing grievous bodily harm.

Three were convicted or cautioned for possessing drugs while another was caught with a canister of CS gas.

Two admitted burglary, while there were also admissions of plying illegally for trade, and driving off without paying for fuel.

Three cabbies had prior drink driving convictions, which Ms Duffield says is unacceptable.

"I am further disgusted to learn that individuals convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs are permitted to hold a licence," she said.

Her call for a review by the authority has been echoed by Canterbury and District Taxi Association chairman Heather Sewell.

"Even a minor sexual assault is still serious - they should not have got a licence at all," she said.

"I'm very concerned about it and I support a review of the system, 100%."

Currently, there are 196 taxi drivers and 324 private hire drivers operating in the district.

Of the 38 drivers with a criminal record granted a licence by the council since August 2015, just 13 still retain their licences.

Ms Duffield added: "While I understand that people who serve their punishment for a criminal conviction must be provided with avenues for rehabilitation, one such avenue being the provision of employment opportunities, to provide taxi licences to individuals convicted or cautioned for crimes including sexual assault or voyeurism puts Canterbury’s citizens at great risk."

Retired construction surveyor John Brockman said: "None of us are perfect. e all make mistakes and if there is any indication of remorse then I would say they are fit to work as taxi drivers. What they have done is in the past.

"If you're looking for someone who is squeaky clean - you are not going to find them.

"Most employers wouldn't take on people with those kind of records - but they do need a job."

Ivo Tonchev, a cabbie with five years experience, said: "It's a stressful job as it is and taxi drivers with a criminal past could snap - serious crimes need to checked.

"With loud music and people refusing to pay at 4am it can be tough, so criminal records should never be overlooked."

Mustafa Ustabas, a 39-year-old taxi driver, said: "The council know everything about you before you get a licence.

"We have our DBS checks renewed every three years so if there is anything bad in recent years then you won't get one.

"I wouldn't say people have anything to worry about when they get in a taxi around here.

"Most drivers are nice and very good with people. Some, you don't know about and there must be some that are bad, but all of the ones I know in Canterbury are good.

"Sometimes we get treated badly but you need to be strong. If you are nice to me, then I will be nice back to you."

In a statement, Canterbury City Council said: "Our taxi and private hire policy clearly states our process for considering a taxi or private hire driver’s licence application by someone with a previous conviction.

"We keep this policy under regular review, in full consultation with all drivers and operators, and follow the Institute of Licensing's guidance on determining the suitability of applicants and licensees in the hackney and private hire trades.

"The protection of the public will always be paramount, but in our view a previous conviction or caution should not automatically condemn an individual to eternal disqualification from consideration.

"There are well established principles in British law concerning the rehabilitation of offenders.

"Cases are considered on their merit and many factors are taken into account, such as the nature of the offence, how long ago it was committed, the age of the applicant at the time of the offence and the sentence imposed.

"We also carry out an annual DBS check and require a six monthly declaration as to whether there have been any changes.

"There is a world of difference between someone who has a previous conviction from 20 years ago - in many cases when they were a teenager or young adult - and has committed no offences since, and who is applying for a licence for the first time, and someone who has a licence having had no previous convictions who is found to have stolen from a passenger's purse, for example.

"The protection of the public will always be paramount, but in our view a previous conviction or caution should not automatically condemn an individual to eternal disqualification from consideration..." - Canterbury City Council

"The latter is presently demonstrably untrustworthy, whereas the former gives no reason to suggest they are a risk.

"We want the best possible drivers working in the Canterbury district and providing a good, safe service to the public. To blanket ban anybody who has a previous conviction or caution could mean we miss out on very capable drivers and deny someone a second chance and the opportunity to work.

"It is a careful balance to strike, and we have highly qualified licensing officers, backed up by an experienced Licensing Sub-Committee of elected councillors, to ensure the correct decisions are reached.

"The past offenders who we have licensed are generally reformed characters who are honest, open and remorseful about their past. They are likely to have a mortgage and a family, and have a very different outlook on life compared to when the offence was originally committed.

"We realise that someone taking a casual look at the list without attempting to understand the wider context may question our approach, but we are clear that we consider none of these individuals pose a risk to the public. If we thought for one second that the public would not be safe, we would not have issued a licence."