Unlicensed taxi drivers, beware! Police launch crackdown on illegal cab firmsPolice have revealed they will be holding surprise operations around the county to crack down on illegal cab drivers.
The campaign, named Operation Vector, aims to catch out taxi drivers operating outside the law to ensure that all private hire vehicles and Hackney carriages are safe to use.
The operations will take place unannounced in locations across Herts – with Welwyn Garden City already having been targeted.
Officers will be checking taxis for faults or defects, as well as running background checks on the drivers. They will also be joined by taxi licensing officers from the area’s local authority in many cases.
Sgt Sam Cordingley, leading the initiative for the Herts, Beds and Cambs road policing unit, said: “While we believe the vast majority of taxis and private hire vehicles operating in Hertfordshire are safe to use, it is important that if they fall below the required standards, then action is taken against them.
“We take this very seriously and any drivers found to be flouting the law or the terms of their licence, may find that their license is suspended. This work is being done to ensure that the public can be confident that the taxis they get into provide a safe and secure means of transport around the county.”
Those found to be flouting the law during the operations will be given a short amount of time to fix the faults, or face further action.
County police and crime commissioner David Lloyd said: “I support this campaign. The public needs to know that when they get into a taxi in Hertfordshire, that the vehicle is maintained to the correct legal standard and that the driver is a safe person to travel with.”
source:
http://www.hemeltoday.co.uk/news/local/ ... -1-6136026
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