Suspicious items and behaviour: what PHV drivers do

Drivers see a lot of London, at all hours. The handbook asks you to use that awareness in one specific way: notice what seems wrong and tell the police. This guide explains what it says about suspicious items and behaviour, how it differs from ordinary lost property, and what we cannot cover.

Why the handbook raises it

Section 3 states that terrorist attacks can happen at any time or place without warning. It does not use that to alarm drivers. It uses it to explain why attention matters, and to give two clear routes for reporting.

Items left behind

The handbook says that items left in your vehicle are likely to be things passengers have left behind. That is the normal case, and it is dealt with through your operator. See complaints and lost property. The guidance on lost property says to check the vehicle after every journey and to take anything you find back to your operator.

The exception is an unattended item that makes you suspicious. In that case the handbook says to call the police immediately on 999 and follow their instructions. It does not tell you to open it, move it or inspect it, and we would not suggest that either. Following the police's instructions is the point.

Noticing people and behaviour

The handbook asks you to be aware of what is going on around you, and of anything that seems different or unusual or does not feel right, or anyone you think is acting suspiciously. It lists three places that might come from:

• Someone you know.
• A passenger.
• Someone or something you notice while driving.

It does not give a checklist of suspicious signs, and we will not invent one. The handbook's approach is that if something does not feel right, you report it and the police decide whether it matters.

The anti-terrorist hotline

The handbook gives the confidential police anti-terrorist hotline number as 0800 789 321 for reporting concerns about suspicious activity. It says the police decide if the information is important and treat it as private and confidential. It also says not to worry about wasting police time or getting someone into trouble. Numbers can change. Check the number on an official police or GOV.UK page before you rely on it, and write it in your phone now, not later.

999 or the hotline?

The handbook uses 999 for an unattended suspicious item, and the hotline for reporting concerns about suspicious activity. If something looks urgent or dangerous, think of 999 first. If you are unsure which applies, the safe course is to call 999 and let the call handler decide.

Staying safe while you do it

Your own safety comes first. The handbook's safety advice is about not putting yourself at risk. If a person is behaving aggressively, move to somewhere safe where you can still see them until help arrives, as the handbook says in another context. See protecting yourself at work.

Tell your operator, and make notes

The handbook does not say to tell your operator about suspicious activity, though it does for safeguarding and incidents. A short note of time, place and what you saw helps the police. Our incident checklist has a list of details worth writing down, and record keeping covers storage. Do not put passengers' details on social media.

Where it fits for SERU

Section 3 is part of what the assessment draws on. You can check your understanding in SERU practice.

What this guide cannot tell you

The handbook does not describe what suspicious activity looks like or what happens after you call. It does not cover what to do about a vehicle that you notice parked unusually. We do not cover any of that. For wider guidance, use official police and government advice.

Where this comes from

Handbook section 3 (Suspicious items and behaviour; Lost property). Checked on 2 October 2026.