Taxi Driver Online

Leeds Taxis Targeted In Partnership Operation
Tuesday, November 4, 2008

A joint operation to help keep taxi and private hire passengers safe in the weeks leading up to Christmas has been launched in Leeds.

Officers from the North West Inner Neighbourhood Policing Team were joined by roads policing officers and enforcement officers from Leeds City Council Taxi and Private Hire Licensing for the start of the campaign this weekend.

Over Friday and Saturday night they targeted taxis and private hire vehicles in the Hawksworth, West Park and Headingley areas.

A total of 46 vehicles were stopped and checked, primarily to see if they were displaying the correct licence and carrying a fire extinguisher and first-aid kit, as is a requirement for drivers.

Two vehicles were seized after they were found to be uninsured, and two drivers were reported for having no insurance, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, having no MOT and having bald tyres.

One driver was arrested after he was found to have an outstanding warrant for failing to appear at court. Another driver was suspended for not having the correct documentation. Four vehicle defect rectification notices were issued.

Patrols also targeted licensed premises in Otley Road, Headingley, to prevent private hire cars touting for business and over-filling ranks causing obstructions.

Sergeant Teresa Dmoch, of the North West Inner NPT, said: “This partnership operation is designed to help ensure the integrity of licensed vehicles and the safety of passengers and other road users. The results from the first two nights are obviously a cause for some concern but we will keep working with the council and drivers to make sure that drivers are properly licensed and their vehicles are roadworthy.

“This operation will be continuing over the weeks running up to Christmas and we would remind taxi and private hire drivers that they need to meet the required standards or face the consequences.

“We would also like to remind people to be alert to the risks of using illegal ‘taxis’ when out and about in the run-up to Christmas and only to use legitimate cars from established ranks or booked in advance from reputable firms.”

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin