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Seven "flimping" cabbies prosecuted
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Author:  captain cab [ Mon Mar 30, 2015 12:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Seven "flimping" cabbies prosecuted

Seven "flimping" cabbies prosecuted after Leicester sting operation


A sting operation resulted in seven Leicester cab drivers being prosecuted for illegally picking up fares.

Undercover council officials posing as punters took to the streets to try to catch so-called flimpers.

Flimping is the illegal process where private hire drivers who should only carry passengers who have booked them in advance collect fares off the street.

Only licensed hackney carriage – or black cab – drivers are permitted to do that.

The council officers caught a number of drivers in the operation and a number of them appeared before magistrates earlier this month to admit flimping and other motoring offences.

Drivers who flimp invalidate their insurance.

Each flimper was fined £200 for picking up fares illegally and given six penalty points on their licence. They were all fined for costs.

One cabbie was left with a bill of £1,320.

Hansom cab drivers dislike flimpers as they say they poach fares.

The RMT union represents the city's black cab drivers.

Branch secretary Umar Khan said: "I'm very pleased the council has prosecuted these private hire drivers for illegally plying for trade.

"The law is very clear on the difference between a hackney carriage, which can be hailed in the street, and a mini-cab, which must be pre-booked through a licensed operator.

"Flimping invalidates insurance for the duration of the journey and that is obviously a big problem if there is then an accident and somebody gets hurt. I hope these convictions will send out a strong message.

"I also think the council should consider suspending the licences of those people who illegally ply for trade.

"I don't think they would be so keen to do it if they knew it could cost them their incomes."

Assistant city mayor Councillor Piara Singh Clair said: "We are not at the stage where we would consider suspending licences but the penalties will send out a clear message that people need to stick to the rules."


Read more: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Seven ... z3VrpfzTOg


Author:  captain cab [ Mon Mar 30, 2015 12:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Seven "flimping" cabbies prosecuted

Quote:
Hansom cab drivers dislike flimpers as they say they poach fares.


They really are into Richard III in Leicester aren't they :lol:

Author:  grandad [ Mon Mar 30, 2015 12:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Seven "flimping" cabbies prosecuted

captain cab wrote:
Quote:
Hansom cab drivers dislike flimpers as they say they poach fares.


They really are into Richard III in Leicester aren't they :lol:

The company that has an office next to the station is called Hansom cabs. :wink:

Author:  sasha [ Mon Mar 30, 2015 6:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Seven "flimping" cabbies prosecuted

captain cab wrote:
Hansom cab drivers dislike flimpers as they say they poach fares.
The number of times I've turned up for a booking and politely told a hack that they might be loading my passenger only to be told 'tough s**t I got here first' :roll:

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