Taxi Driver Online

Stretch limos 'front for crime'

Some stretch limousine businesses in the UK are acting as a front for organised crime, senior police officers have told BBC News. In the first UK-wide operation targeting limousines, police uncovered crimes including drug dealing, money laundering and car ringing.

More than 20 forces across the UK have been targeting the unregulated industry over the past month. Some of the limousines were also found to be unsafe.

Chief Supt Geraint Anwel, chairman of the National Roads Policing Intelligence Forum - which led the operation - said: "Our concerns are that with every passing day the possibility of these vehicles falling apart increases significantly. "It won't be long before we see the contents of these vehicles being spilt out onto one of our roads."

Drivers were not subject to normal Criminal Record Bureau checks, he said. "We have seen, on a number off occasions, some pretty unsavoury people driving or inside these vehicles who wouldn't normally be in a position where they'd be able to be with young children in party situations."

The National Limousine Association - set up to bring some regulation to the industry - says it knows the industry has been infiltrated by people who are using it for illegal purposes. The association says it wants the illegality to stop so that legal, reputable companies can get on with their job.

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IDFIMH

Well if anyone was in any doubt that the limo world was not being targeted very hard lately, this is all the proof they need, good on the police and authorities for clamping down, maybe just maybe once these crooks are off the roads the legal limo ops will get some respect, I DID SAY MAYBE

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Legal and proud

Loads a love from BERTIE !!

I wonder why the same association solicitors advised our pinkies of how to use section 75 (1) (b).

CC

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

I know there are many Limo lads that are licensed and ship-shape.

What I want to know is why is it in my area to a man or limo, they're not.

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IDFIMH

Perhaps we should put it to Simon monday afternoon??????????????

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The views expressed by this contributor do not neccesarily reflect the policys of The GMB Nationally or of the GMB London Region.

As you know I run both Taxi and Limo and think that changes in the Limo laws are long overdue. CRB checks should be standard, and compliance testing, regulated pricing and ensuring that there are only 8 seats in the car for starters.

But putting on my Chauffeurs hat I have tried to register my Limo as a P/H but it has a bulkhead / separate drivers compartment - which makes it Hackney spec; so register it as Hackney you may say - can't its not a purpose built taxi; its a car according to the DVLA and therefore it should be P/H.

And just going off thread slightly (as normal) why is it that LA's can enforce legislation that makes it so that PH drivers are not allowed driver protection / WAV's?

Well they can't and most don't.

The E7 is used in more areas as a PH than a HC, and that has the safety screen.

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IDFIMH

Hi Tigger, I agree totally with the CRB checks, but as for regulated pricing, yeah right thats pie in the sky your avin a giraffe surely, please tell me you are And i know you know what i mean

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Legal and proud

Loads a love from BERTIE !!

a massive check up was done last night.
police. vossa. council. and the BBC.

saw the worlds biggest hummer being towed away.
and about 9 million customers trying to work out how to get home.

[quote="Cgull"

saw the worlds biggest hummer being towed away.
and about 9 million customers trying to work out how to get home. [/quote]


Was it pink by any chance

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

no it was silver.
but we have a copule of pink ones.
and they were stopped last time.

i see go-easy cars are still advertising up to 26 passenger cars !!
http://www.go-easycars.co.uk/limousines.html
how do they get away with it?

I think where they will all get caught out is via their weight.

And of course the ending of the exemption.

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IDFIMH

Pretty much 100 % Sussex

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Legal and proud

Loads a love from BERTIE !!

E7's are considered PB here - and having a bulk head excludes a vehicle from being plated as a PH.