Swindon has launched a multi-agency effort to enhance public safety at night, introducing taxi marshals, extra police patrols, and a new public spaces protection order.
The initiatives are funded by the Home Office's Anti-Social Behaviour Hotspot Fund and are a joint venture between the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) for Wiltshire and Swindon, Swindon Borough Council, and Wiltshire Police.
Accredited taxi marshals will patrol key pickup points in Old Town, Princes Street, and Town Centre North - areas identified as hotspots for anti-social behaviour - from 10pm to 6am on Fridays and Saturdays, with the scheme set to run until April 2026.
The goal is to ensure "safer dispersal and help people get home safely," according to a statement from the council.
Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson stated: "These partnership-led initiatives in Swindon demonstrate how targeted investment and collaborative working can deliver meaningful improvements to public safety."
He added that the measures reflect a "commitment to creating a night-time economy that is not only vibrant but also secure, inclusive, and responsive."
Beyond the marshals, the new safety measures include the relaunch of Project Vigilant, which targets predatory behaviour such as harassment and stalking.
Additionally, a new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) gives officers the power to issue on-the-spot fines of up to £100 for offences such as street drinking or using e-scooters in restricted zones.
Staff in the night-time economy, including bar and door staff, have also received new Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) training to help them support vulnerable individuals.
The changes, which took effect on September 1, 2025, include a £1 surcharge on fares during peak school travel times, raising concerns for families and commuters.
Mahbubur Rahman, now 50, was found guilty of rape on 3 September, at Leicester Crown Court following a trial. He is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date.
Colchester City Council is inviting residents, drivers, and operators to share their views as part of a public consultation on the future of CCTV in Taxis (Hackney Carriages and Private Hire Vehicles).
The mayor is meeting with key government ministers on Thursday 4 September to advocate for the change as an amendment to the English Devolution Bill, moves through Parliament.
The money is specifically earmarked for installing on-street charge points in both urban and rural areas, with a focus on residents who lack off-street parking.
The new rules, aimed at increasing safety and encouraging alternative transport, are not currently enforceable because the council has not yet installed the necessary road signs.
The move comes after the council successfully rolled out CCTV in hackney carriages, funded by a £173,500 grant from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.
According to police, the victim was approached by the three youths, who allegedly brandished weapons before stealing his wallet.
The association argues that the presence of these drivers, who are licensed outside the area, creates an "unfair and unsafe environment" for both local drivers and passengers.
Passengers of a taxi were rescued by firefighters using specialised equipment following a two-car crash in the early hours of Sunday morning, 31 August, in the Holbrooks area of Coventry.
The incident took place around 9.30pm on Saturday, August 30, on Victoria Street when an intoxicated man entered the parked Uber and demanded to be driven.
Waqas Pervez, 35, has had his appeal denied after his licence was revoked for attempting an illegal pickup in Manchester.
Civic licensing officer Donna Scobie presented the figures to the South Ayrshire Council’s Regulatory Panel, showing a jump in taxi failures from 8% to 36%.
Jordan Bull, 31, has been charged in connection with the incident that occurred on February 16.
The operation, which took place on July 12, was initiated in response to "concerns in relation to the volume of PH and HCVs licensed by other authorities that are working in the town centre
The largest proposed rise of 9.5%, could see the cost of a Tariff 3 journey of 10 miles rise by more than £4 over the Christmas and New Year holidays.
A disciplinary panel found Councillor Simon Boone called the driver, David Edwards, “very childish and unprofessional” and mentioned his membership on CWAC’s licensing committee, which is responsible for granting taxi li
The incident occurred at approximately 9:55pm on Union Road, near Farnborough Main railway station.
A taxi driver, Jamie Westbury, who runs an airport transfer company, described the scene as "manic."
Hackney carriage fares in Sefton are set to be reviewed as representatives of the taxi trade push for increases to combat "rising inflation, running costs and significant driver shortages."