Eight fixed penalty notices issued during taxi compliance operation in Wycombe District

On Friday 17th February a series of checks were carried out on taxis and private hire vehicles operating within Wycombe local policing area (LPA).

The joint operation between Thames Valley Police and Wycombe District Council’s (WDC) Licensing Team took place in High Wycombe and Marlow town centre overnight between 9.00pm and 3.30am.

Thirty six vehicles were stopped and checked for defects to ensure that they were complying with road safety regulations and the standards set by the council. Drivers were also checked to make sure they possessed the correct insurance and licensing documentation.

A variety of offences were discovered during the operation including unsafe tyres and not wearing a seatbelt for which eight fixed penalty notices were issued.

PC Alistair Bennett based at High Wycombe police station said: ‘The operation provided a great opportunity for us to engage with taxi drivers to discuss licensing requirements and ensure that their vehicles were safe and up to standard. Prompt action was taken where this was not the case.

It also provided us with the chance to speak to them directly about their concerns which led to a number of non-taxi vehicles receiving fixed penalty notices for being parked in designated taxi ranks.

TVP are committed to working with our partners and local businesses to help keep residents and visitors to Wycombe LPA safe from harm and we will be looking to complete a similar operation in the near future.‘

Cllr Jean Teesdale, Wycombe District Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, said: ‘This is an additional safety check carried out by the police and the council to ensure the vehicles people hire in our district are safe.

If anyone has any concerns about a taxi or private hire vehicle they should contact the Licensing Unit at [email protected] or 01494 421222.‘