Police have said there is “cause for some concern” after five drivers were taken off the road during a crackdown on rogue minicab drivers in Bradford.
A total of 68 private hire vehicles, some carrying passengers, were stopped in an operation involving special constables from West Yorkshire Police and Bradford Council enforcement officers.
A police spokesman said five drivers were suspended immediately and a further three were issued with advisory notices.
Gerry Slade, acting senior section officer of Special Constables in Bradford, said it was vital members of the public were not put at risk by travelling in illegal minicabs.
He said: “We focused on the Westgate, Kirkgate, Manningham Lane and Rawson Square areas of Bradford.
“Although the results are obviously a cause for some concern, the police working with our partners will continue to ensure drivers are properly licensed and their vehicles are roadworthy.”
A police spokesman said of the five drivers suspended immediately, one was for having bald tyres while the other four were suspended for issues surrounding documentation, such as not carrying insurance documents or their private hire badges.
The three advisory notices were handed out for repairs to the vehicles which needed to be done.
Mr Slade said: “It is illegal for private hire vehicles to pick up fares that are not pre-booked and it should be remembered by anyone who does get into a vehicle that if it is not pre-booked then it is not insured.”
Mr Slade said the operation, which took place on Saturday, also involved checking whether vehicles were roadworthy.
He said: “Bradford Council has worked closely with the police to carry out these operations and we are happy to support them in ensuring that the drivers are licensed, the vehicle are safe and they operate within the law.
“We would also like to remind people to be alert to the risks of using illegal ‘taxis’ when out and about and only to use legitimate cars from established ranks or booked in advance from reputable firms.
“Further to the work around taxis, the special constables also issued tickets to other motorists on the road.
“Three fixed penalty notices were given out for having no seat belt, two for using a mobile at the wheel and one for displaying illegal number plates.”
Raja Sakhawat Hussain, chairman of the Bradford Private Hire Association, said: “I personally think the police check-ups are a good thing, although we already go through so many check-ups on these matters.
“But at the end of the day it’s for the safety of the community.
“I don’t think five out of 68 is bad but obviously I think we could do a lot better – there’s no harm in trying to be 100 per cent perfect.”