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| A PARTICULAR ad hoc Hackney Carriage spot check http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=17035 |
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| Author: | Brummie Cabbie [ Sun Jun 26, 2011 7:22 pm ] |
| Post subject: | A PARTICULAR ad hoc Hackney Carriage spot check |
A few months ago on a Friday or Saturday night (it matters not which), an Asian, Birmingham licensed, Hackney driver picked up a lone lady from central Birmingham to a destination in Erdington; a fare of about £15-17. On his way out of the centre of Birmingham travelling towards the Aston Expressway / Spaghetti Junction a West Midlands Policeman on motor-bike, either spoke to him at red traffic lights or motioned to him whilst he was moving to follow him. The driver did as he had been requested by the West Midlands Policeman on motor-bike, but the lady passenger began complaining almost instantly, as the driver was now deviating from the usual route and the meter was still on. The West Midlands Policeman on motor-bike, riding in front of the cab, piloted the cabbie with passenger to the Matalan car park, which is about a quarter of a mile from the Aston Expressway. On entering the car park, it became obvious to the cabbie that an ad hoc licensed vehicle spot check was being carried out in the car park and other vehicles, Hackney Carriages and Private Hire Cars were also present. The Matalan car park was awash with police and probably other enforcement agency personnel. At this point the lady passenger got out of the cab and started to remonstrate with the West Midlands Policeman on motor-bike that she had to get home and was very unhappy at the manner in which her journey had been interrupted. She was not complaining to the cabbie. Within a short space of time, a West Midlands Policeman in a West Midlands Police Range Rover pulled up beside her, offering to take the protesting lady home. She got into the West Midlands Police Range Rover and the West Midlands Policeman driving the West Midlands Police Range Rover drove out of the car park and presumably drove the lady home. The Asian Hackney driver was not paid any of the fare from the pick-up to the forced drop off point in the Matalan car park and lost out on the full fare of about £15-£17. The Asian Hackney driver’s cab was inspected in due course at the Matalan car park. There were NO faults found with the cab and the driver was allowed to continue his night’s work. Obviously, this matter is still simmering with the cab trade in Brum, but what, if anything, can be done about the manner in which this West Midlands Police ad hoc vehicle inspection was carried out? Does this happen in your manor? Do the police in your manor stop licensed vehicles for spot check whilst they have passengers on board? Do you think it unreasonable for a West Midlands Policeman on motor-bike to corral a hired cab away from its route with passenger on board for an ad hoc vehicle inspection? Your thought would be very much appreciated!! |
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| Author: | grandad [ Sun Jun 26, 2011 8:31 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
Would the driver have been in breach of his license by not going the shortes available route to the destination? In our area when these inspections are carried out, the police follow the car until the passengers are dropped off before stopping the car. They then ask you to attend the inspection site within a certain time, usually 30 minutes. |
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| Author: | toots [ Sun Jun 26, 2011 8:49 pm ] |
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In this area if you pass a section of road that has been allocated for inspection you will be pulled in for said inspection, regardless of whether you have a passenger on board or not. The police always apologise to the customer on board and take minimal time performing said checks. Some customers complain but most undrstand it is a necessary evil |
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| Author: | grandad [ Sun Jun 26, 2011 9:05 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
You can always request a deferment. |
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| Author: | Sussex [ Sun Jun 26, 2011 10:32 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A PARTICULAR ad hoc Hackney Carriage spot check |
Brummie Cabbie wrote: Do you think it unreasonable for a West Midlands Policeman on motor-bike to corral a hired cab away from its route with passenger on board for an ad hoc vehicle inspection?
Yes I do. Once the driver has dropped it's odds on that he will return the same way, when the police can do their checks. Also how can it be right that the copper took the woman home? What's all this bo*****s we keep hearing about lack of police resources. The police messed up this time, they need to publicly apologise. I take it you (or the trade) have contacted the press and the Chief Constable? |
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| Author: | gusmac [ Mon Jun 27, 2011 2:18 pm ] |
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I was pulled in to a hackney inspection on the roadside a few years ago with a passenger in the back. As soon as the cops realised I had a passenger, they sent me on my way without looking over the cab. I agree with the others, they could and should have told the driver to come back after he dropped off. |
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| Author: | mancityfan [ Tue Jun 28, 2011 10:55 pm ] |
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unless you are served with a section 68 notice you should refuse to go. |
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| Author: | Brummie Cabbie [ Tue Jun 28, 2011 11:02 pm ] |
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grandad wrote: You can always request a deferment.
Please explain in detail. Is there any legislation to allow for this? |
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| Author: | Brummie Cabbie [ Tue Jun 28, 2011 11:04 pm ] |
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mancityfan wrote: unless you are served with a section 68 notice you should refuse to go.
Please explain. Section 68 of which Act? |
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| Author: | grandad [ Tue Jun 28, 2011 11:11 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
Brummie Cabbie wrote: grandad wrote: You can always request a deferment. Please explain in detail. Is there any legislation to allow for this? I am not sure which bit of legislation this comes under but it was something that was brought up at the National Limousine Association. For vehicles with 8 passenger seats or less, you can ask for a 48 hour deferment. I was requested to take one of my vehicles to an inspection just as I was leaving to go to Heathrow once. I spoke to the council offical and requested the 48 hour deferment and it was granted. |
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| Author: | Brummie Cabbie [ Tue Jun 28, 2011 11:12 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A PARTICULAR ad hoc Hackney Carriage spot check |
Sussex wrote: I take it you (or the trade) have contacted the press and the Chief Constable?
Unfortunately not!! I heard about it after the driver went to see another trade rep, who in turn tackled the monkey instead of the organ grinder. I would have tackled it quite differently, but I have posted this thread to glean information and try to formulate a structured response for the drivers should this happen again in the future. I may yet write to the Chief Constable asking for his views on the incident and to try to formulate a policy for the future. But the bottom line at the moment is that it has been dealt with in haste rather than a measured, strong approach to the incident, which has happened on a number of ocassions previously over the years. |
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| Author: | Brummie Cabbie [ Tue Jun 28, 2011 11:15 pm ] |
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grandad wrote: Brummie Cabbie wrote: grandad wrote: You can always request a deferment. Please explain in detail. Is there any legislation to allow for this? I am not sure which bit of legislation this comes under but it was something that was brought up at the National Limousine Association. For vehicles with 8 passenger seats or less, you can ask for a 48 hour deferment. I was requested to take one of my vehicles to an inspection just as I was leaving to go to Heathrow once. I spoke to the council offical and requested the 48 hour deferment and it was granted. Council official versus police is perhaps quite a different scenario. |
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| Author: | grandad [ Tue Jun 28, 2011 11:15 pm ] |
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Bill Bowling at the NLcA should be able to give you the legislation that I am on about. www.nlca.co.uk |
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| Author: | Brummie Cabbie [ Tue Jun 28, 2011 11:16 pm ] |
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grandad wrote: Bill Bowling at the NLcA should be able to give you the legislation that I am on about. www.nlca.com
OK, thanks; I'll try him. |
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| Author: | mancityfan [ Wed Jun 29, 2011 7:53 am ] |
| Post subject: | |
the police officer should serve you with a section 68 notice,it will say that you have a deffect with your vehicle,if he does not serve you with a section 68 notice you do not have to go with him.the police officer then has 2 choices he can arrest you or let you go.you hope that he arrests you,then you sue for wrongful arrest,which will net you about £2500. |
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