AN OPERATION to keep Redditch taxi drivers on their toes has been hailed a ‘great success’ after only one vehicle was suspended following spot checks on 19.
But when <b>The Standard’s Beth Wright</b> joined them she found officers had more to deal with than just cabs.
West Mercia police officers, led by PC Richard Field, set off with Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS) representatives to taxi ranks on Unicorn Hill, the bus station and Queen Street before patrolling Grangers Lane in Oakenshaw.
The team also encountered a stranded Diamond bus, possibly with an oil leak, on the Coventry Highway.
Thanks to the random spot checks, the first of their kind in around four years, 19 vehicles were referred to the WRS depot on Crossgate Road where they were inspected.
One taxi was found to have a fuel leak and was issued with a Prohibition Notice and suspended.
As well as checking for road worthiness, officers were on the lookout for vehicle road tax, MoT and compliance with legislation and Redditch hackney carriage/private hire policy.
Other issues included drivers not wearing badges, no smoking signs not displayed, poor condition of rear seats, not having numberplates displayed correctly, a hidden meter and faulty brake lights.
PC Field said: “It’s pleasing news that the majority were of excellent condition with only one vehicle being prohibited due to safety concerns.”
A WRS spokesperson said: “This shows the twice-yearly compliance tests are working and we were very pleased that we can say we found such excellent standards in the taxis checked.”
During the evening, officers also had to deal with an alleged assault in the bus station and arrested a man who was charged with taking a vehicle without consent, no insurance and no driving licence. He has since been bailed until April 4.
Regarding the assault officers are awaiting CCTV footage and enquiries are ongoing.
