Taxi Enforcement Swoop in Ribble Valley

20 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 taxi enforcement officer, Carl Rung, 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 20 vehicles inspected, 18 were found to be of the required standard, the drivers of two were served with prohibition notices requiring them to withdraw their vehicles from operation immediately and a further three were served with advisory notices requiring work to be carried out on the vehicle within seven days.

Carl Rung 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."

Ribble Valley revellers are being reminded not to use unlicensed taxis or flag down private hire vehicles over the Christmas period.

And Ribble Valley Borough Council has issued the following tips to help taxi-users have a safe festive journey:

• "Yellow plate" private hire vehicles must be pre-booked. Only "blue plate" hackney carriages can be flagged down or hired from a taxi rank. It is illegal for private hire vehicles to pick up passengers in the street, unless they are pre- booked
• Check drivers are wearing identification badges that have not expired
• Check the identity of drivers against photographs on identification badges
• Check that cab licence plates at the rear of vehicles or on the left-hand side of windscreens are in date
• Don't give personal details to drivers
• Agree private hire fees in advance. Metred hackney cab fees are set by the council

Ribble Valley Borough Council's register of licensed premises, vehicles and drivers featuring the names of taxi licence holders, along with licence numbers, issue and expiry dates, and licence terms, is available on the council's web site.

Members of the public can use the facility to ensure that vehicles are licensed, which means they will be safe, comfortable and roadworthy, and that drivers have a reasonable knowledge of the area, are medically fit and free from serious convictions.

Anyone who suspects a taxi firm of operating without a licence or a driver of driving without a licence, or using an unlicensed vehicle, is asked to contact the council's licensing team on 01200 414411.

• Ribble Valley Borough Council has the power to prosecute licence holders who fail to operate properly and this week prosecuted an individual for operating and driving a private hire vehicle without a licence and using an unlicensed vehicle. The individual was fined £800, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £15 and legal costs of £1,169.