Taxi enforcement swoop in Ribble Valley

Twenty-two vehicles were targeted in a late-night inspection, but only two were found to have defects, while a further three were given advisory notices.

Ribble Valley Borough Council's head of legal and democratic services, Diane Rice, said: "Maintaining a high standard of vehicles is something we take seriously and we carry out regular checks to ensure taxis and their drivers are meeting licensing requirements.

"This was a joint-operation with the police and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency, and vehicles were subject to a rigorous late-night inspection to ensure they were compliant with licence conditions."

Of the 22 vehicles inspected, 20 were found to be of the required standard, while the drivers of two were served with prohibition notices requiring the vehicle to be withdrawn from operation with immediate effect and three were served with advisory notices requiring work to be carried out on the vehicle within seven days.

Diane Rice added: "The council requires the immediate withdrawal of hackney carriage or private hire vehicles constituting a risk to public safety, or works to be carried out to ensure the vehicles are of a high standard.

"Although two vehicles were found to be unroadworthy, we are delighted that most were of an excellent standard."