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Private eyes to spy on cab cheats
COUNCIL chiefs are hiring private detectives to spy on Redditch cabbies in a bid to stop taxi drivers from swindling customers by charging over-the-top fares.
The drastic measure has been taken after bosses at Redditch Borough Council has received complaints from angry residents, claiming some taxis have been making up charges instead of using their meters to work out the proper fare.
It is a legal requirement for drivers to use meters on journeys within the borough boundaries to protect customers and ensure that they are paying the correct fare.
Now, private detectives will act as mystery customers in a bid to discover which taxi drivers are the culprits. Eddie Isaacs, the council's taxi licensing manager, said: "By using meters we can ensure that customers pay a standard rate.
"These charges are fair to both the taxi firm and the customer. By launching this scheme we can make sure that customers are paying these rates as charged by the meter, and that they are not being overcharged." The scheme is due to start shortly, just in time for the busy Christmas and New Year period.
Mr Isaacs said he had one message for cabbies: "Taxi drivers are now being warned that we are checking up on them."
A spokesman for the Redditch Taxi Association, said: "We fully support this action."
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