Rank actions of bogus cabs prompt councils to act

LGA press release - 20 August 2008

People take their lives in their hands when they use unlicensed taxis, council leaders warned, as the Local Government Association (LGA) issued safety guidance to councils to help curb the use of these unsafe and illegal vehicles.

As people go out more to make the most of the summer months, the number of unlicensed taxis grows, some of which are on the roads simply to prey on lone women. The Local Government Association is urging people to take some simple precautions to make sure they do not use unlicensed taxis. 

All taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs) that carry up to eight passengers, including stretch limousines and chauffeur driven cars, must be licensed by the council.  All drivers of taxis must be licensed too, which involves a criminal record check. Only licensed taxis can ‘ply for hire’ at ranks or be hailed in the street of the area in which they are licensed, whereas PHVs or minicabs need to be booked in advance.

The Office of Fair Trading reported that seven percent of adults - or 1.8 million people - used an illegal taxi in 2002 and although the percentage of people using bogus cabs is believed to have dropped they still pose a threat to unsuspecting people.    

Cllr Hazel Harding, Chair of the Safer Communities Board of the Local Government Association, a cross-party organisation representing over 400 councils in England and Wales said:

“During the summer people go to concerts, restaurants and bars more often, and are more likely to let their guard down, particularly if they’ve had alcohol.  Although everyone should enjoy themselves, there are a few precautions people can take, such as ringing for a licensed taxi when they are thinking about going home.     

“Unlicensed taxis offer no protection for those who use them, while minicabs who ply for hire are also operating illegally. If you are involved in an accident and the vehicle and driver are not licensed, you might not be insured. 

“Every year we read of assaults, robberies, rapes and even deaths as a result of people using these bogus cabs. For women travelling alone, getting into an unlicensed taxi can be no different to getting into the car of a kerb crawler. 

“Councils help get people safely through the day and are reporting success in weeding out these opportunists, but they will continue to operate if they know people will use them.”

The LGA issued the following safety guidance to councils:

• Always try to make sure someone knows where you are going and what time you expect to be home and if your plans change, let somebody know;
• Before you book your taxi, ask the operator if the vehicle and driver are licensed with the local authority, and check which council;
• Pre-book your taxi and remember to ask the driver who they are waiting for;
• Take the phone number of a licensed cab company with you and ring for a taxi when you are thinking about leaving;
• Make sure that your mobile phone is charged, switched on at all times and with credit;
• Sit behind the driver if possible;
• Always check for an official identification sticker on the windscreen and ensure that the driver is wearing appropriate ID.

Examples of how councils are working to raise public awareness of the dangers of using unlicensed taxis include:

• Pendle Council has provided local people with guidance on how to identify a licensed taxi driver and how to contact the council to ensure they’re using a reputable firm.
• Corby Council has sought to crack down on unlicensed taxis by making sure operators are licensed and local people are informed about the dangers.
• Cardiff Council runs a safe taxi campaign to educate the public about issues such as overcharging and unlicensed taxis, and distributes leaflets and items, such as branded beer mats at public events.  In March the Council successfully prosecuted a Hackney Carriage Driver for refusing a fare from a taxi rank.
• Reading Borough Council has been carrying out operations to catch vehicles illegally plying for hire and in the past four months the council has caught 30 licensed vehicles and three unlicensed drivers breaking the law.     

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. Any public hire vehicle (PHV) with eight seats or less, which is used to carry passengers for payment – including limousines, airport travel and chauffeur driven cars must be licensed by the council. All drivers of taxis must be licensed too, which involves a criminal record check.
2. All vehicles have to display a licence plate on the rear bumper and have an interior plate with the expiry date of the licence in the top left hand corner of the windscreen.
3. All drivers have a badge with their photo on and the expiry date of their licence. This badge must either be worn or displayed in the vehicle.
4. Vehicles that carry more than eight passengers are public service vehicles (or PSVs) and should have a colour disc displayed on the windscreen. The Department for Transport has responsibility for this type of vehicle.

Author: LGA Media Office
Contact: Kallon Basham 020 7664 3332