Taxi blitz targets safety worries

From the archive, first published Friday 24th Feb 2006.

A stop-and-search operation targeting Bradford taxis is under way as part of a police crackdown on law-breakers.

Private-hire drivers were stopped by officers and licensing officials to make sure they complied with regulations and were driving safe vehicles. The checks make sure that the driver of the car is the person named on the taxi's licence and that the documentation is up to date.

The crackdown comes days after the Telegraph & Argus reported that police were to step up investigations into illegal activities by cab drivers. Yesterday vehicles were stopped along Leeds Road, Bowling Back Lane and Shearbridge Road off Great Horton Road.

PC Paul Woolston said the operation had been a success.

"We have been going for taxis mainly but any other vehicles we think seem suspicious," he said. "So far we have issued two taxis with fines, one for chatting on his mobile while driving and the other for not having his radio secured properly. We also stopped two cars who were driving without insurance and seized their vehicles."

PC Woolston said that one of the main things they were checking were radio units to make sure they were properly secured to the vehicle's dashboard after recent instances of radios coming free and jamming under brake pedals, leading to accidents.

One of the drivers stopped by police was Tariq Nawaz, a driver for Douglas Private Hire. After coming through the checks of his paperwork and vehicle without a blemish, he said: "I think it's a good idea to stop random drivers for checks. Taxi drivers should ensure cars are safe - we provide a public service."

Det Insp Steve Hopwood, of Bradford South Police, said two drivers were arrested as part of this operation and licensing officials took action against drivers not meeting the terms of their licences. "It has been a marvellous day and it will continue," he said.

The Force's Central Process Bureau, which issues speeding fines, announced that investigations into taxi drivers were to increase in response to frequent complaints from the Bradford public about taxis being driven at high speeds, not signalling, switching lanes dangerously, ignoring traffic lights and doing dangerous U-turns.

l The operations were part of a two-day city-wide operation of high profile police activity.

Warrants were executed against people who cause anti-social behaviour in the Holme Wood and Buttershaw areas.

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