Taxis stopped in crackdown by police and Highland Council

More than 70 taxis and private hire cars have been stopped and checked during a joint operation by Police Scotland and Highland Council trading standards.

The operation was carried out on Thursday and Friday in the Inverness and Easter Ross areas.

It involved checks to ensure drivers are operating within the terms of their taxi licence and that their vehicles are roadworthy.

Some issues were identified relating to unsafe tyres and one vehicle being driven without an MOT. One vehicle was prohibited, and three vehicles had their taxi licences suspended, pending the rectification of mechanical defects.

Constable Mark Dalloway from the road policing unit in Dingwall, said: “It is important that the public can have faith that professional drivers are conducting their business safely and legally.

“The vast majority of taxi and private hire drivers operate safely within the terms of their licence.

“However, where issues are found we will take enforcement action.

“I would like to thank the taxi trade for their support and co-operation.”

Mark McGinty, trading standards team leader, said: “Trading standards and Police Scotland have a joint responsibility when it comes to the licensing of taxi and private hire traders, this relates to both licensed and unlicensed trading.

“Following reports received, this joint operation has brought officers from both agencies together to conduct vehicle stops and checks to ascertain if the legislation is being complied with, and enforcement action has been taken.

“Members of the public should be reassured that taking a taxi or private hire in the Highland Council area is a safe thing to do, and that ongoing checks are in place to detect either unlicensed trading or breaches of trading conditions where a licence has already been granted.

“Trading standards will continue to work jointly with Police Scotland in this area.”