Taxi Driver Online

I'd guess they're actually plying for hire, waiting for the pished up students (er, no thanks) although it's portrayed here as more of a parking issue.


Leeds police stop more than 40 private hire vehicles for poor parking in Headingley during Otley Run

More than 40 private hire drivers have been stopped and warned by police for causing obstructions in a Leeds suburb.


Image: Yorkshire Evening Post

Police and Leeds City Council’s taxi licencing team carried out a joint operation in Far Headingley. The day of action was in response to concerns raised by the community.

Residents have complained of large numbers of private hire vehicles dropping off revellers participating in the Otley Run, stopping in unsuitable locations and causing obstructions. The infamous 15-stop bar crawl has become something of a rite of passage for students in the city, who don their best fancy-dress and tackle the pubs and bars that stretch from Headingley and into the city centre.

Officers from the Inner Leeds North West Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) and the council patrolled the area on Saturday May 13. They stopped more than 40 private hire vehicles and drivers were advised to park elsewhere. One private hire licence was suspended.

It follows a crackdown on street drinking and anti-social behaviour linked to the Otley Run last month. A Public Spaces Protection order (PSPO) covering the Headingley area bans drinking alcohol or taking drugs in public, as well as street parties, and police ordered 10 people to dispose of alcohol being consumed on the street. A large number of private hire vehicles were also directed to move after causing an obstruction in the Otley Road area.

Earlier this year, a Leeds councillor called for more resources to crack down on unruly behaviour on the Otley Run, claiming that police are “reluctant” to arrest anti-social drinkers on the pub crawl because they have so few officers on duty.

So do any councils routinely take action against private hire drivers deemed plying for hire even if they're not actually caught picking anyone up?

Can PHDs be prosecuted for plying for hire even if they haven't actually accepted a hire?

Asking for a friend

I think they can be prosecuted if they appear to be ranking, but I doubt there are many prosecutions just for that. As opposed to illegal pickups.

As for the cars in Leeds, I suspect they are not plying, in the way we see things, more they are Uber cars waiting for pre-booked work. The nearer they are to the action the more chance they have of getting a booking.

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IDFIMH