A taxi company that offers a 'safe' service for local university students has suspended two drivers following allegations of sexual assault.

001 Taxis, a popular taxi service in Oxford, said it removed both drivers from their company immediately - giving one of the drivers a lifetime ban.

One Oxford Brookes University student claimed a driver put his hand up her skirt and drove her 30 minutes out of her way on July 31.

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001 said it was alerted to the incident by Oxford Brookes Student Union, after the alleged incident was shared on a private university page.

While the taxi company said it had received no formal complaint from the alleged victim at present, the driver has been suspended and given a lifetime ban on working for the company.

The second Brookes student said that on July 20 she ordered a taxi at 11.30pm back to her home and when dropped off, was asked by the driver if she would ever consider becoming a sex worker.

The student said: “He asked me a lot of questions about sex work in Poland, sex work in the UK and if I would ever think about it.

“We were right outside my house, and I really wanted to pay, and just leave, but it was taking him so long.”

“It wasn’t until I got home, I thought it was really weird, and I felt as though I was in danger.

“He knew my name and where I lived.

“I felt like I dodged a bullet, I feel sorry for the other girl, in my case it was just an uncomfortable conversation.”

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The company said it received a complaint via email and immediately suspended the driver involved.

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils, which license the taxis, and Oxford City Council are now involved in investigations into the alleged incidents.

The district councils said ‘potential action’ could be taken against both drivers, ranging from a warning to revocation of the licence.

001 Taxis work with the Oxford Brookes Student Union to provide a ‘Safe Taxi Scheme’. This means that students across the city, even if they do not have cash on them, can use their service to ‘get home safely’.

A spokesperson for 001 added: “We take complaints of this nature very seriously and do not tolerate this at 001 Taxi's.

“The police have not made any contact with us but if they make inquires which relate to any of the allegations, we will provide them with everything they require.

“But we understand the driver partner was released without charge.

“We still remain the safe taxi service provider of Oxford Brookes and we have been in contact with the student union to ensure they are satisfied with our actions.”

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A Student Union spokesperson said: “This has been of huge concern to both the Union and 001 Taxis.

“We are united on our zero-tolerance stance on sexual assault and misconduct.”

The union said it was ‘very satisfied’ with how the taxi company had handled the sexual assault allegations.

It added that the student did not book the taxi under the Safe Taxi Scheme.

Thames Valley Police were unable to comment on the allegations.