http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/spot-checks-on-taxis-in-derby-city-centre-expose-serious-safety-issues/story-30415753-detail/story.html

Spot checks on taxis in Derby city centre have exposed a number of "serious" safety issues.

A monthly operation by Derbyshire police identified a number of hackney cabs and private hire vehicles in an unroadworthy state and some drivers had their licences revoked.

One yellow cab was so seriously corroded that holes had appeared on the rear passenger seat mounds. The driver had his licence seized as a result.

Other cars were found to have excessively worn tyres, damaged seatbelts and defective exhausts which polluted the environment. At least five drivers had their licences suspended overall.

Derby's Roads Police carries out the safety checks once a month in a bid to keep passengers safe.

One driver was fined for having tyres so worn that the tread was "peeling away", Derby's Roads Police said on Twitter.

Another vehicle was found to have a corroded seatbelt mound which would fail to properly protect passengers in the event of a crash.

Another vwehicle was found to have a hole in the exhaust and was suspended immediately

Derby City Council, the authority responsible for issuing taxi licences, has been contacted for a response.

Council leader Ranjti Banwait previously said a new taxi licensing procedure will be introduced in July "that guarantees higher standards for the public and the trade across the city."

Council leader Ranjti Banwait previously said a new taxi licensing procedure will be introduced in July "that guarantees higher standards for the public and the trade across the city."