Cabbies investigated in police crackdown

Over 100 cabbies in Rochdale had their licenses checked

Over 100 cabbies in Rochdale had their licenses checked during a police crackdown operation.

The joint initiative, which took place over a three-month period was held between Greater Manchester Police’s Rochdale Division and Rochdale Borough Council.

The checks, which were made on the borough’s taxi and private hire vehicles were performed to ensure the safety of passengers and the legitimacy of the transport.

Together with licensing officers from the council, police stopped drivers of taxi and private hire vehicles in Littleborough, Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale.

Inspections were undertaken to check meter readings, tariff cards and whether registration plates had adequate signage including no smoking signs and drivers’ details where verified to make sure they held valid insurances and licences.

Other partners involved included, Vehicle and Operator Safety Agency, environmental management and HM Revenue and Customs.

During a two-month period between March and April over 52 vehicles were checked at the roadside and officers issued tickets for 40 non-endorsable and four endorsable offences.

The majority of those checked complied with officers however three drivers had their licences suspended for failing to meet all licensing regulations, one person was issued a summons for having bald tyres and two people were issued with document producers.

The final part of the operation between 15 and 17 May saw the team make checks to 75 vehicles.

Of those checked 63 of the vehicles were completed at the testing site based at the Environmental Management test station at Green Lane, Heywood and 12 were made at the roadside.

Officers discovered that 22 vehicles had defects, two were seized both of which was for no insurance. A further 22 vehicles were suspended from use.

Police Constable, Mike Cartwright for Rochdale Division, said: “Private hire vehicles need to ensure that they meet the legal requirements as outlined in their guidelines and the law.

“These drivers are entrusted with the safety of their passengers and by making their vehicles safe they are providing the best possible service for the public. The work we have done during this operation will hopefully act as a warning to anyone else found flouting the law.”

The operation also saw police issue 10 fixed penalty notices to some private hire drivers for a number of offences including, failing to wear seatbelts, parking and causing obstruction, or parking on double yellow lines or pedestrian crossings.

Sergeant Carl O’Brien for Rochdale North Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Local officers have worked with say who the partners are if referring to them following a number of complaints from members of the community about the condition of some of the borough’s taxi and private hire vehicles.

“The work we have carried out with the taxis and private hire vehicles was designed to show and reassure members of the public that we take their safety seriously. We will continue to take positive action where necessary to maintain the standards of public transport across Rochdale division and to keep the public safe.”

Andy Glover, Public Protection Manager at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Our licensing team often works alongside the police to carry out stop and check exercises such as these. They are crucial in ensuring that taxi and private hire drivers in the borough are working legitimately and are abiding by the necessary licensing regulations that are in place to protect the health and safety of local passengers.

“I am pleased that the majority are compliant. It highlights that passengers are being protected from bogus drivers, inflated fares and their safety is not being put at risk.”