Cannock Chase Council will be using the services of taxi marshals over the festive period to ensure the safety of partygoers returning home after a night out.
The initiative, which has been arranged by the Council’s Community Safety Team, will see taxi marshals present at Cannock’s taxi rank between the hours of 10pm and 4am on selected dates over the holiday season.
It is expected that the taxi marshals will play a vital role in ensuring the safe and orderly use of the taxi rank- whilst also helping to reduce crime, anti-social behaviour, and helping to safeguard those who are vulnerable.
The marshals will also have access to Nitenet radios, which link several venues with the Council’s 24hr CCTV control room, allowing for greater communication between the night-time economy which will further assist in keeping the town centre a safe and enjoyable location.
Following the festive period, taxi marshals will return to the district from March onwards, until the end of 2024, at weekends and on selected dates.
Councillor Jo Elson, Portfolio Leader for Community Wellbeing, said “I am thrilled to see the arrival of taxi marshals in Cannock, they will help to create a welcoming atmosphere for our town centre.
"I expect them to be the eyes and ears of the nighttime economy, and schemes elsewhere across the country have demonstrated how effective they can be at reducing disorder and increasing the safety of residents and visitors.”
Inspector Chris Moss, Deputy Local Policing Commander said “As a local policing team we welcome this initiative from the district council.
"Taxi marshalls are used in other town centres already and the benefits are clear. We want people to be able to visit the town safely at all times of the day and this scheme will work alongside local policing to ensure that safety.”
The taxi marshals have been funded as part of the Government Safer Streets 5 initiative, whereby investments will be made within Cannock South and West to prevent and address anti-social behaviour and associated crime. This was following a successful bid by the Staffordshire Commissioner’s Office.
Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime Ben Adams said “Under the latest round of Safer Streets funding, Cannock received £500,000 for a range of practical interventions, such as this taxi marshal scheme, which will make a real difference to people’s safety and confidence when enjoying nights out.
“This is part of over £5 million which my office has secured from government funding streams since 2020, as part of Staffordshire’s preventative approach to reducing anti-social behaviour and violence more broadly.”
A man has been remanded in custody over an alleged knifepoint robbery involving a taxi driver.
According to the Whitehaven News, Curtis Barron, 26, faces charges of robbery and threatening a person with a blade or sharply pointed article in a public place.
The defendant, from Egremont, is accused of robbing the taxi driver of a money bag with £80 in Egremont on December 16.
It also alleged that Barron had a knife in a public place and intentionally threatened the taxi driver with it.
Barron did not enter pleas during a hearing at Workington Magistrates’ Court on Monday 18 December.
The case was sent to Carlisle Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on January 19.
The defendant was remanded in custody until his next court appearance.
Liverpool City Council’s Licensing Enforcement Officers have this year issued 98 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) to taxi drivers smoking in their vehicles.
It has been an offence to smoke (in a smoke free place) since the introduction of the Health Act 2006, and the council has made an extra effort this year to clampdown on the illegal practice in licensed vehicles.
Most of the drivers who have had fixed penalty notices issued to them, either directly or by post, paid within 15 days in order to take advantage of the reduction in cost from £50 to £30.
If the penalty is not paid within 29 days of the offence, then a court summons is issued.
Two Sefton private hire drivers who chose to ignore the FPNs where recently summonsed to court.
Both drivers were fined £200, with £150 costs and an £80 victim surcharge – the total payable for each driver was £430.
Liverpool Licensing Authority would like to remind all licensed drivers who smoke, that it is an offence to smoke in a licenced vehicle at any time – this includes when the driver is not working and using the vehicle in a personal capacity.
Additional patrols will be in operation over the busy Christmas period to ensure this law is being observed to protect customers.
Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing & Culture, said: “Liverpool led the way in getting the law passed on banning smoking in public places and I’m glad our Licensing Team is keeping the momentum up by educating drivers and enforcing the law so our taxis are free of smoke too.
“Tens of thousands of people across the city will be using a taxi over the next fortnight at what is the busiest time of the year and our team will be working hard to ensure it’s a clean ride all the way."
Source: https://liverpoolexpress.co.uk/action-to-stub-out-smoking-in-taxis/
A taxi driver has described how she was attacked whilst coming to the aid of a homeless man who was set upon by a group of youths.
CornwallLive reports that Suzie Brookes was herself punched during the incident in Truro on the evening of Sunday 17 December.
Suzie, who lives in Truro and works for Ekspres Cars, said: "On Sunday afternoon at around 5.30pm I had a taxi booking from a parent to pick up her child, from Truro Bus Station to go to Newquay.
"While doing this the girl was attacked by 15-year-olds and after getting the female in the car, the group of 15 or so teens attacked a homeless man called Danny.
"I called the police and did my best to protect Danny. The youths ran off but came back with more people. Two of the boys attacked Danny, I stood in front of him and one of the boys punched me in the side of my head.
"I ended up putting Danny in the taxi and took him up to Truro Police Station."
Mum-of-four Suzie, 30, said the youths also booted her taxi and pulled off a wiper as they tried to get to Danny and the teenage girl as she drove off.
She added: "I had to do something to protect a man that was just walking though town. I wouldn't forgive myself if I drove away and he got serious injuries.
"I'm still anxious and jumpy whilst working and I've had ringing in my ear and keep getting pains in my temple."
A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said: "Police were notified at around 5.45pm on Sunday 17 December to reports of a fight between several people on Back Quay in Truro.
"Officers attended the scene where a man in his 30s was found to have minor hand and facial injuries. A woman who tried to help was also punched in the incident.
"Enquiries are continuing to identify suspects. Police are asking anyone with information to contact them via 101 quoting 50230327002."
Source: https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/truro-taxi-driver-punched-whilst-8985934
Two private hire drivers illegally plying for trade have been fined following undercover checks at Henley Regatta last year.
The Oxford Mail reports that on Friday, December 15 at Oxford Magistrates’ Court, Mumtaz Ahmed Ismail, 55, from Reading, was ordered to pay more than £4,500 after being convicted of two counts of illegally plying for hire and two counts of driving without insurance.
He also had 14 points added to his DVLA driving licence, meaning he is now banned from driving for six months.
Mr Ismail was caught during a ‘test purchase’ operation in Henley when plain-clothed licensing officers from South Oxfordshire DC and neighbouring authorities checked to ensure that out of area drivers were not picking up passengers illegally at the Regatta and taking them on unbooked, uninsured and often untraceable journeys.
Mr Ismail was stopped on June 29 2023 when he agreed to take an undercover officer to Reading for a flat rate without having a booking in place. Mr Ismail was then caught again under the same circumstances just two days later.
Mr Ismail failed to attend court on November 17 2023 and was convicted in his absence of all four offences. Sentencing was then adjourned until December 15 to allow him to attend and provide any mitigating circumstances before sentencing.
In a separate case on Friday, November 17 2023 at Oxford Magistrates’ Court, Harish Surendralal, 63, from Reading, was also convicted of illegally plying for hire at Henley Regatta and of driving without insurance.
Mr Surendralal was caught during ‘test purchase’ operations at the Regatta on June 30 2023.
He had also agreed to drive an undercover licensing officer to Reading for a flat rate. There was no booking in place and making this agreement immediately invalidated Mr Surendralal’s insurance.
As a result of his actions, Mr Surendralal was ordered to pay £1,186 and had six points added to his DVLA driving licence.
Councillor David Rouane, leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “Henley has repeatedly been targeted by drivers from outside the district attempting to operate illegally at the Regatta.
"Our officers have been very successful in stopping those involved and we won’t hesitate to prosecute anyone who is caught in the act.”
Mr Ismail and Mr Surendralal were the first private hire drivers to be prosecuted following the 2023 Henley Regatta with cases against six more individuals pending.
Following the 2022 event, five people were convicted for illegally plying for hire and associated offences, such as having no insurance.
Source: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/24002221.henley-regatta-taxi-drivers-convicted-illegal-operations/
Ricky Harold, a 20-year veteran of the town’s taxi trade, was parked in a lay-by when his vehicle was struck from behind by a black Audi A2.
Chinese automotive giant Geely has deepened its commitment to the UK electric vehicle market with a £120m cash injection into London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC).
North Tyneside Council is facing a backlash over plans to increase taxi fares by 6.3%.
Nazim Asmal preyed on his victims after nights out in Preston and Darwen, driving them to secluded spots before carrying out horrific sexual assaults.
Newcastle is set to see a surge in pink taxis driven by women as part of a new initiative aimed at improving passenger safety.
An unlicensed taxi driver who picked up two vulnerable women in Aberdare has been ordered to pay nearly £1,500 in fines and costs.
Cleethorpes taxi drivers are breathing a sigh of relief after council enforcement officers cracked down on vehicles illegally parked in designated taxi ranks.
A Barry man has avoided jail after launching a drunken attack on a taxi driver who refused him entry to his vehicle.
Jersey’s taxi service is in crisis, with driver numbers plummeting by more than a quarter since 2014, a new report has revealed.
On Wednesday 27 July, more than 300 vulnerable youngsters were taken on an all-expenses paid trip to Southport.
Taxi drivers in the town will be able to charge passengers more following a decision by the borough council on 31 July.
A taxi driver has been sentenced to a community order after admitting causing the death of a pedestrian by driving at excessive speed.
A joint operation by council, police, and DVSA officials has seen three taxis taken off the road in Oldham due to safety concerns.
Taxi drivers licensed by Mid Sussex could soon be forced to accept card payments, following a surge in complaints about cash-only services.
Two men have avoided immediate jail time after a high-speed race left a taxi driver with serious injuries.
BYD, manufacturer of new energy vehicles and power batteries, has announced a multi-year strategic partnership with Uber, designed to bring 100,000 new BYD EVs onto the Uber platform across key global markets.
Ways of increasing the amount of wheelchair-accessible taxis across the city are set to be explored to make it easier for those who need one to get one.
Cumbrian taxi drivers are fighting back against proposed licensing changes they fear will cripple their livelihoods.
Bolton taxi drivers are urged to sign up for free safeguarding and disability awareness training before the deadline on October 31st, 2024.
A Conwy Council meeting on Monday revealed a critical failing that allowed a taxi driver whose license had been revoked to continue transporting children to school.