Crackdown shows appalling state of tourist hotspot taxis

More than a quarter of the 80 hackney carriages and private hire vehicles stopped in York during a two-day safety crackdown had to be ordered off the road.

The safety inspections found a host of faults including worn tyres, faulty handbrakes and problems with the vehicles' steering.

Traffic Constable David Hunter, who organised the two-day operation, warned future safety crackdowns would be carried out over the festive period.

He said: "Hundreds of members of the public use taxis within the city every day and they need to know that the vehicles are roadworthy and that the drivers are properly licensed.

"We have been left appalled at the number of vehicles which have failed to meet minimum legal requirements and the number of drivers that we found to be committing offences. These were sadly in the majority.

"The risk posed to road users by dangerous taxis cannot be underestimated. Drivers must take responsibility for their passengers and other road users."

The taxi licensing team from York Council took 22 vehicles off the road out of the 80 which were stopped during the operation.

Of these, 15 were given immediate prohibitions and three were given delayed prohibitions. A further 30 vehicles were issued with advisory notices.

The taxi licensing team also suspended one driver from working, while police officers issued 17 endorsable fixed-penalty tickets and six non-endorsable tickets.

York Council's licensing manager John Lacy said: "Enforcement is vital in ensuring that licensed vehicles in this city are safe, reliable, clean and well presented.

"The number of vehicles which were (not) is extremely worrying, especially as York Council routinely checks all licensed vehicles at regular intervals and at least twice a year for vehicles over five years old.

"It is clear to me that vehicles are not being routinely maintained."

The operation, which was held on Thursday and Friday last week, also involved HM Revenue and Customs, the Vehicle Operator Standards Agency and benefit fraud investigators.