Cops crackdown on rogue cab driversMerseyside Police believe a minority of unlicensed taxi drivers are involved in drugs, guns and other criminality while at the same time taking trade away from law-abiding cabbies.
Detectives are appealing for information and help from the taxi community and the legitimate users to identify these rogue cabbies.
There will be a strong focussed police operation this bank holiday weekend, led by the Matrix unit, into the criminal use of taxis and it will form part of the continued massive crackdown on gun crime and drug-dealing linked to criminal gangs.
Chief Superintendent Tony Doherty, the head of the Force's Matrix unit, said: "The majority of Merseyside's taxi drivers are honest, hard-working, law-abiding people.
"They take pride in what they do and maintain their cab to a safe standard and pay for it to be licensed.
"I know they are continually frustrated when they see illegal cabbies plying for their business, in areas that they shouldn't be plying for trade and in unsafe cabs while not bothering to pay the taxes and overheads of the legitimate drivers.
"My message to the legitimate drivers is to help the police do something about it - let us know about the rogue cabs, their illicit trade and the companies who are assisting them to take your business.
"And my message to those who drive around in taxis that are not fit for the roads or that are unlicensed and not insured if they have a crash, is that you can expect to be stop checked by the police in the coming weeks and have your cars taken off you."
source:
http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/96896 ... b_drivers/