Fifth of taxis in Sandwell 'unfit for the road'

More than 50 out of 250 vehicles stopped in the last nine operations had safety issues.

Defective tyres, lights and suspension were all uncovered by Sandwell Council officials during the crackdown carried out in conjunction with the police.

One car was also seized by police.

The vehicle was destroyed for having no insurance and four defective tyres.

Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for public health and protection Councillor Elaine Costigan said: “The operations make sure that not only the drivers themselves are licensed and working legally, but that their vehicles are up to standard and roadworthy.

“It also benefits the vast majority of taxi drivers who operate within the law who can be undercut by fake taxis without any insurance, which has become more prevalent on social media.

“The team’s work is all about making sure people travelling around Sandwell are safe and their achievements over the past year have had a real impact on that.

“A lot of work is being done at the moment around private hire operators in Sandwell who hold licences in neighbouring boroughs to see if they are breaching any current legislation.”

Prosecutions of unlicensed private hire drivers in Sandwell caught advertising on social media has taken place over the last year, as well as eight licensed drivers found to have made fraudulent applications to obtain their licenses.

Drivers have been hit with fines and costs, community orders and unpaid work orders, with some also having their licenses revoked.

The enforcement team carries out to make sure drivers know the law around carrying guide dogs, with several cases of drivers refusing to do so currently being investigated.

It is also responsible for delivering anti-Child Sexual Exploitation training to aid drivers in recognising the signs of young passengers who are at risk.

Sandwell has around 40 private hire companies with almost 2,000 drivers.