News

A joint operation by South Wales Police and Swansea Council’s Taxi Licensing Division inspected the roadworthiness of taxis and taxi drivers in Swansea.

The operation, which took place on the evening of Friday 15th December, saw marked Police vehicles patrolling Swansea city centre and taking taxis to an inspection point, where they were checked for defects. Taxi drivers’ licences were also checked, alongside numerous other checks using Police systems. These checks were conducted by both Police and Council staff.

During the operation, fourteen vehicles, including eleven taxis and three private hire vehicles, were subject to inspection. Of these, three vehicles were immediately suspended from road use:

• One vehicle suspended for a defective tyre, a defective rear light and an inoperable rear sliding door
• One vehicle suspended for a defective brake light – this was fixed on-site
• One vehicle issued a tyre advisory

Advisories or warnings were also issued to three drivers, one of which was a licensed driver working without ID and not displaying two required badges.

Sergeant James Ponting of South Wales Police said:

“This operation was run to ensure that the taxis used were in safe working order and that we could be assured that those taxi drivers using them were licensed to do so and operating within the law.

“This would therefore hopefully bring reassurance and peace of mind to members of the public using taxi services during the festive period, in addition to improving the safety of other road users and pedestrians.”

Cllr David Hopkins, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Performance, said:

“Members of the public should righty expect all taxi services to be safe, which is why operations of this kind are so important.

“This should act as a reminder to all taxi drivers in Swansea to ensure their vehicles and licences either reach the standards we expect, or they will run the risk of facing inspections and action.”