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Northampton operation cracks down on illegal taxi practice
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Northampton operation cracks down on illegal taxi practice

Fourteen private drivers face a review of their licenses following an operation to combat cases of illegal passenger pick-up.

Friday’s action followed reports of drivers working for hire in Northampton town centre.

Staff from West Northamptonshire Council and Northamptonshire Police acted as customers and asked drivers of parked private hire vehicles if they were free.

They will only be able to pick up passengers if the trip has been booked through an authorized operator.

The Conservative-controlled council said all private hire drivers receive training when they first apply for a license on the difference between them and hire carriages, which can be legally detained.

Maureen Allsopp-Clarke, from Northamptonshire Police’s safer roads team, said: “Private hire vehicles must be booked in advance and cannot charge fees as this not only breaches the conditions of their license but also invalidates your insurance.

“As part of the operation, we not only checked that private drivers were complying with all laws and regulations when transporting members of the public, but also that they had the correct documentation to reduce the risk to vulnerable people who may be victims of unlicensed drivers in the night economy.”