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Posted on the 20th July 2025 in PHTM News
WARNING OF MORE SPOT CHECKS IN NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYME AS PHVS CAUGHT PLYING FOR HIRE
A warning has been issued by Newcastle-under-Lyme BC after spot checks were undertaken on private hire vehicles.
The cabbies responded to on-street requests made by plain-clothed officers in the town. The operation carried out by the licensing team at Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and Staffordshire Police in April also found one vehicle in such poor condition it was immediately impounded for being unroadworthy.
As you all know, private hire vehicles must be pre-booked through a licensed operator. If they are not, the journey is not insured and there is no formal record of it being made.
Passengers who enter such vehicles risk travelling without any safety protections or recourse if something goes wrong.
Only hackney carriages licensed by the council are allowed to be hailed in the street or collect passengers from a taxi rank. Private hire drivers found breaking these rules face potential loss of their licence
The council has confirmed that more spot-checks will be carried out in the summer to enforce compliance and protect public safety.
Council deputy leader Stephen Sweeney, portfolio holder for finance, town centres and growth, said: “We want to encourage visitors to our vibrant town centres and ensure they have a safe journey home.
“We’d like to remind people either to use one of our hackney carriage taxis, which are black and have a white stripe down both sides, or book ahead for a private hire vehicle. People should be aware that journeys in private hire vehicles which have not been pre-booked are not insured or recorded, which risks their safety and wellbeing. Private hire drivers which undertake such pick-ups are breaking the law.
“We’re committed as a council to protect our residents and visitors’ safety and support our taxi drivers who operating legitimately.”
Inspector Joel Hurst, from the Newcastle-under-Lyme local policing team, said: “We’re continuing to work collaboratively with our partners to combat illegal taxi activity and to keep local communities safe.
“Using unlicensed taxis that aren’t pre-booked can put people at risk, and that’s why we’re continuing to act proactively to address the issue in Newcastle-under-Lyme.”
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