Taxi driver’s £800 fine after police 'sting'TAXI driver Muhammad Shahzad has been ordered to pay more than £800 – after being caught illegally plying for trade.
The cabbie fell victim to a 'sting' operation by police and council officials in Biddulph where he collected plain-clothed officers.
And taxi drivers in the town say that a number of firms from outside the area will often try and collect customers – in a move they claim is damaging their trade.
Shahzad is licensed by Newcastle Borough Council and is therefore only permitted to collect customers who have not pre-booked from that area.
By collecting the plain-clothed officers in Biddulph, who had not booked, the driver invalidated his insurance.
Now Shahzad, of Cauldon Road, Shelton, has been fined and given six penalty points.
Magistrates at North Staffordshire Justice Centre found the 28-year-old guilty in his absence and he was convicted for plying for hire in an area in which he was not licensed and driving without insurance.
He was fined £150 and told to pay £650 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council took the action after Shahzad was caught out on December 5, 2014 on High Street in Biddulph. The prosecution came as a result of a crackdown between the authority and Staffordshire police.
Councillor Brian Johnson hopes the court's decision will help send out a message to other drivers looking to illegally operate in the Moorlands.
He said: "The safety of passengers using taxis and private hire vehicles is paramount, which is why it is so important to be sure that the taxis and private hire vehicles and drivers you use are properly licensed.
"I hope this conviction sends out a clear message that being licensed matters, that we do monitor those people offering taxi services and that we will take action against anyone operating illegally.
"It's easy for passengers to check as licensed vehicles should display a plate with the licence number, vehicle reg and the council's logo and the driver will usually wear, or display, an identity badge.
"In Staffordshire Moorlands, passengers can only jump in or hail taxis displaying white plates with a blue border – all other vehicles need to be booked in advance."
Hackney carriage drivers are allowed to collect fares from the street without pre-bookings being made – but can only do so in the area they are licensed to operate in.
However, they and private hire vehicles may pick up passengers anywhere in the UK – as long as they are pre-booked.
Biddulph taxi driver Ian Shingler says that on weekend nights a number of Stoke-on-Trent operators can be seen in the town trying to pick up fares.
Ian, who runs Biddulph Taxis and lives in the town, said: "We do see a lot of drivers from the city coming in to Biddulph and we do report it."
Ian, a driver of about 15 years, added: "I believe that Leek also has similar issues and we want the council to take action."
In Newcastle the council claims the problem of drivers from out of the area trying to pick up customers in the town has gone down since a dedicated area for collections, complete with marshals, was set up at the bus station.
Elsewhere, regular operations are also carried out in Stafford and Stone to tackle the problem.
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