Liverpool, Nine face court in ‘private’

Nine face court in ‘private’ taxi blitz

Nov 6 2007 by Luke Traynor, Liverpool Echo

A TAXI blitz across Liverpool has landed nine private hire cabbies in court.

They will appear before magistrates accused of illegally picking up passengers.

In operation Otis over the past two weekends plain-clothes police and council officials targeted taxi drivers who carry passengers without a booking.

Eight private hire vehicles were seized and nine drivers reported for breaching passenger pick-up rules and insurance offences.

Five of the drivers were from Sefton, two from Wirral and one from Knowsley and Liverpool.

They will appear before magistrates and could permanently lose their licence.

Private hire cabs can only be pre-booked as stipulated by all private hire insurance.

The operation also targeted private cars found parked on taxi ranks.

Officers seized 36 private cars pulled up on taxi stands and gave 108 tickets for obstruction.

Chairman of the taxi licensing committee Cllr Malcolm Kelly said: “Some of the private hire vehicles are not just causing congestion by parking illegally, but could also obstruct ambulances, fire engines and other emergency vehicles.

“Taxis operating legitimately are an important part of our transport system. Thousands of people rely on them at night, specially at weekends, and they must be able to operate properly in the right areas.

“People who get into an unlicensed vehicle, and private hire cars plying for hire are unlicensed, could be putting themselves at risk.”

luketraynor@liverpoolecho.co.uk