A Lancashire taxi driver who used social media to incite violence following the fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport has been sentenced to seven and a half years in prison.

Andrew McIntyre, 39, of Rufford, created a Telegram channel called "Southport Wake Up" in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy on 29 July 29. The channel, according to prosecutors, acted as a "catalyst" for the subsequent riots.

McIntyre, who pleaded guilty to encouraging violent disorder and possessing a knife, shared inflammatory content online, including calls to violence against police and threats targeting a local mosque.

He also posted a map of Southport with the location of a mosque highlighted.

The court heard that McIntyre's posts, which included a "clear threat to police," contributed directly to the outbreak of violence in the town on 30 July 30.

He later boasted about the unrest, urging supporters to "prepare for Round 2" at a Liverpool mosque.

McIntyre was arrested by police on 8 August, while working as a taxi driver. A knife was discovered in his vehicle, and a search of his home uncovered other weapons and a copy of Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf.

While defending counsel argued that McIntyre was a man of "previous good character," the judge emphasised the seriousness of his actions, which fuelled real-world violence.

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A 76-year-old taxi driver in Southend was left shaken and distraught after two masked men stole his cash bag and wallet, containing irreplaceable family photos, on New Year's Eve.

John Chapman, who has been driving for Andrews Taxis for 20 years, picked up the two men and upon dropping them off near Cash Converters on Southchurch Road, the men quickly fled the vehicle while he was momentarily distracted.

It was then that he discovered the men had stolen his black leather "shaving bag," which contained approximately £200 in cash and his wallet.

Since the incident, which occurred around 10am on Tuesday, the thieves have used Mr Chapman's cards to make purchases totaling around £100 at various shops throughout Southend.

While the financial loss is significant, Mr. Chapman is most devastated by the loss of his wallet, which contained cherished photographs of his late mother, grandmother, and other beloved family members.

"I was apprehensive about picking them up because they were wearing face coverings, which was really worrying," Mr. Chapman stated.

"This has never happened to me in my 20 years of driving. I haven't had a fare run off in three years, and nowadays, most of my payments are by card."

He continued: "They were pure opportunists. They must have seen my bag on the seat. I can only blame myself for leaving it there.

Mr. Chapman emphasised, "It was a lot of money, but the loss of the photos of my mum, who I lost when I was six, and my nan, is the most upsetting thing. They are very important to me."

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Political tensions are escalating within Pendle Council after a crucial deadline for taxi drivers to utilise a safety app was delayed, throwing the initiative into uncertainty.

The decision has sparked a power struggle, with Deputy Leader David Whipp (Lib-Dem) calling for a no-confidence vote against Independent Council Leader Asjad Mahmood.

Whipp alleges that the Independent group's decision to postpone the app deadline violates a key agreement with the Lib-Dems in their shared leadership arrangement.

Adding to the turmoil, Conservative Councillor Kieran McGladdery has resigned, accusing some within his party of "bad conduct or bad decisions."

McGladdery, a former taxi licensing committee chairman, will be submitting evidence to the Conservative Association and Pendle Council's monitoring officer for investigation, with the possibility of further action.

The controversy surrounding taxi safety in Pendle has been brewing for some time. Concerns arose following unannounced vehicle inspections that revealed numerous safety issues.

At a recent full council meeting, councillors debated two opposing motions regarding the mandatory use of a mobile phone app for taxi drivers by the end of February 2025 – a deadline previously set earlier last year.

Independent Councillor Mohammed Iqbal proposed a motion to delay the deadline, citing concerns about a potential backlog of work. He argued that with only 30 out of 800 taxi drivers signed up, enforcing the app would overwhelm the taxi committee, potentially leading to lengthy delays and driver discontent.

Iqbal also raised concerns about the potential financial burden of the app fee, which could rise to £10 per week, impacting drivers struggling with the cost of living crisis. He questioned the necessity of the app, stating: "If this app is the best thing since sliced bread, why is Pendle the only area doing it?"

Iqbal further criticised the approach of previous taxi committee chairmen, Brian Newman and Faraz Ahmad, suggesting they had failed to build effective relationships with the taxi trade. He contrasted their approach with that of former Conservative chairman Kieran McGladdery.

Several other councillors, including Yasser Iqbal, Ruby Anwar, and Naeem Ashraf, echoed the call for a re-evaluation of the app, arguing that the majority of taxi drivers should not be penalised for the safety lapses of a minority.

However, David Whipp advocated for a different approach, urging "meaningful talks" between the committee and taxi drivers to address safety concerns and explore alternative solutions to the app.

He highlighted the persistent safety issues revealed by spot checks and garage inspections, emphasising the app's simplicity and affordability.

Lib-Dem Councillor Tom Whipp, who works in construction and experiences daily vehicle checks, supported this view. Lib-Dem Councillor Dorothy Lord acknowledged the challenges faced by taxi drivers, including low pay, but stressed the importance of ensuring passenger safety.

Conservative Group Leader Nadeem Ahmed proposed a "middle ground" approach, suggesting the possibility of paper-based checks as an alternative to the app. He criticised the lack of progress on taxi safety issues over the past 20 years, attributing it to political manoeuvering and a breakdown in communication between the council and the taxi trade.

Fellow Conservative Councillor Martyn Stone also expressed reservations about the app, citing its untested nature.

However, Conservative Councillor Richard O'Connor, a former taxi driver himself, expressed frustration with the direction of the debate. He emphasised the importance of regular vehicle checks, highlighting his own experience as a truck driver and the rigorous daily checks he conducts.

O'Connor pointed out that the app is already being used by some Pendle taxi drivers, who have reported positive experiences and acknowledged its value in improving vehicle maintenance and overall safety.

Mayor Mohammad Aslam, who owns an MOT testing garage, succinctly stated: "If the taxi trade listened, we would not be here tonight."

Following a vote to delay the app implementation and explore alternative approaches, Councillor O'Connor left the meeting in disgust.

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North Yorkshire Police has issued a stern warning to taxi drivers across the county to ensure their vehicles meet all safety and legal requirements following a successful operation in Harrogate.

The operation, conducted on Friday, 13 December, involved a multi-agency effort with North Yorkshire Council, Bradford Council, and the DVSA. Taxis and private hire vehicles were inspected for roadworthiness and compliance with safety regulations.

During the operation, one taxi was immediately suspended from service. Four others received immediate or general prohibitions due to serious safety concerns.

Additionally, eight vehicles were found to have defects requiring immediate attention or were issued with advisory notices.

Common faults identified during the inspections included defective tires, faulty lights, and engine management system issues.

PC Dave Ellison from the North Yorkshire Police Roads Policing Group said: "We want to ensure that all taxis and private hire vehicles operating within the county are safe and legal.

"Thankfully, most drivers comply with these regulations, but we urge all drivers to prioritise vehicle maintenance and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy."

Councillor Greg White, North Yorkshire Council's Executive Member for Managing Our Environment, added: "Operations like this demonstrate our commitment to passenger safety and serve as a reminder to the taxi trade to uphold the highest safety standards."

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A spate of vandalism targeting taxis in the early hours of Sunday, 22 December, has sparked concern and prompted a response from North Wales Police (NWP).

The incident, described by police as causing "significant disruption" within the Wrexham community, involved a group of eight youths vandalising property on Johnstown's High Street around 1:50am. CCTV footage reportedly shows one individual throwing objects at buildings and street furniture, including parked taxis.

In response to this incident and a recent rise in anti-social behavior, a 48-hour dispersal order will be in effect from 4pm on Sunday, 29 December, encompassing the areas of Rhos, Ponciau, and Johnstown.

NWP Wrexham Rural has reported an increase in incidents since late October, including:

• Large groups of youths intimidating local residents
• Throwing stones and eggs at vehicles and houses
• Theft
• Disruptive behavior at retail establishments

The NWP Wrexham Rural policing team is appealing to the public for assistance in identifying the culprits responsible for the taxi vandalism.

A spokesperson stated: "Several taxis had their windows smashed, causing significant disruption and concern in our community. Let's come together to address this and keep Johnstown safe. Do you recognise any of these youths?"

Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact North Wales Police on 101, quoting reference Q191748. 

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