Posted on the 11th November 2025 in PHTM News
DOZENS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE CABBIES LOSE LICENCES OVER SEX DRUG AND DRIVING CRIMES
A total of 40 taxi drivers in Buckinghamshire have had their licences revoked in the past year for a range of serious offences, including sexual assault, drug-related activity, and multiple driving violations.
Newly published figures covering October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025, show that the most frequent grounds for revocation were "motoring offences" such as speeding, drink or drug driving, using a mobile phone while driving, and driving without insurance.
Beyond road crimes, other drivers lost their licences for "unacceptable or abusive behaviour," which included "rudeness towards passengers, aggressive driving, and even assaults."
A significant number of cabbies were stripped of their licences after being "arrested or charged with serious crimes, including sexual assaults, violent offences, and drug-related activity."
Others were penalised for administrative breaches, such as providing false information to the council, allowing unlicensed people to drive licensed vehicles, or "failing to report arrests or convictions."
Despite the revocations, the licensing service approved 1,095 applications for hackney carriage and private hire driver licences, marking a slight 0.5% decrease from the previous year.
Senior licensing officer Joanne Bowles commented on the figures, stating: "During the reporting period, the licensing service approved 1,095 applications for hackney carriage and private hire driver licences, reflecting a 0.5 per cent decrease compared to the 1,100 approvals in the equivalent period of the previous year."
The council also refused 47 applications, most of which were new applicants (79%). Ms. Bowles noted that the main reasons for these refusals were "criminal behaviour, motoring offences, and dishonesty on applications."
The service did see an improvement in the application process, with a 28% decrease in rejected applications - those where the applicant failed to complete payment.
Ms. Bowles stated this "demonstrates the effectiveness of the licensing service’s efforts to streamline and clarify the application process."
Read another story
- COUNCILLOR DEMANDS SPEED CAMERAS AFTER TAXI FLIPS IN DRAMATIC BIRMINGHAM CRASH
The crash occurred on Bordesley Green East in Stechford shortly before 6 pm. West Midlands Police confirmed they were called to the scene, and "two people were assessed at the scene for injuries."
- BURNLEY COUNCIL SEEKS VIEWS ON PROPOSED CHANGES TO TAXI LICENSING POLICY
Burnley Council is inviting views on proposed changes to its taxi licensing policy as part of a six-week public consultation.
- LONDON BLACK CABS LINED UP ON WESTMINSTER BRIDGE OFFERING FREE RIDES TO VETS AS PART OF POPPY CABS SERVICE
London black cabs line up on Westminster Bridge offering free rides to veterans as part of poppy cabs service
- ADCU CONDEMNS GOVERNMENT REFUSAL TO ALLOW CAPPING OF PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLE NUMBERS
The decision, communicated in a letter to London Assembly Member Elly Baker, has been met with disappointment and anger among drivers who say London’s PHV sector has reached breaking point
- SURREY "SEXUAL PREDATOR" TAXI DRIVER JAILED FOR PREYING ON VULNERABLE WOMAN
Lance Melville Percival, 64, who filmed himself raping a vulnerable woman over a five-year period during trips to her support services has been jailed for 12 and a half years.
- SWANSEA TAXIS AND PHVS TO INSTALL CARD READERS FOLLOWING PUBLIC DEMAND
The decision, made by the council’s general licensing committee, dictates that all newly licensed private hire and hackney carriages must carry card readers from December 2025.
- EAST AYRSHIRE FARES RISE UP TO 19 PER CENT AFTER DRIVERS WIN APPEAL AGAINST COUNCIL
The council had voted in June to block the fare rise, despite earlier proposals to increase the initial charge of a journey from £4.00 to £4.50 and the cost per additional 130 yards from 20p to 25p.
- BLACKBURN WITH DARWIN COUNCIL LICENSED DRIVERS TO FACE SIX YEARLY DRIVING TESTS UNDER NEW RULES
Until now, cabbies were only required to pass a test when first applying for a licence. The updated policy, which comes into force on 1 January 2026, means drivers will need to complete the test at every other licence re
- APPALLING BLACK CAB PAEDOPHILE CONVICTED OF 15 SEX OFFENCES AGAINST YOUNG GIRLS
Former Birmingham cabbie, Peter King, 72, has been convicted of 15 sex offences after preying on and grooming three girls as young as six in the 1990s and early 2000s.
- HALLOWEEN HORROR AS CABBIE STABS GRANDAD WITH SCREWDRIVER IN DARWEN ROAD RAGE CLASH
Tariq Mahmood, of Blackburn, came face-to-face with his victim on a double-parked street in Darwen with neither driver willing to give way, leading to a tense stand-off.
- NORTH EAST LINCOLNSHIRE COUNCILLORS APPROVE KEY LICENSING CHANGES
Councillors in North East Lincolnshire have approved significant changes to local taxi licensing, including a slight increase in tariff rates and a doubling of the fee for passengers who soil a vehicle.
- CHELTENHAM PRIVATE HIRE BOSS TO PAY £3,100 FOR OPERATING WITHOUT OPERATORS LICENCE
On Monday, October 27, Victor Whitham pleaded guilty to operating a private hire vehicle without a private hire operator's licence.
- EXETER TAXI FARES SET TO SPIKE 25% BY CHRISTMAS, POTENTIALLY REACHING NATIONAL TOP 10
If implemented, the increase would be the first fare rise in three years and would see Exeter's rates become the most expensive in Devon.
- UBER PARTNERS WITH NVIDIA TO ROLL OUT 100,000 SELF DRIVING CARS BY 2027
The move signals potential tough competition for human drivers who have historically formed the backbone of the ride-hailing giant.
- MIDLOTHIAN TAXI FARE HIKE HALTED AFTER APPEAL TO UK TRAFFIC COMMISSIONER
Taxi fare increases of up to 20 per cent approved by Midlothian councillors have been suspended after local operators filed an appeal with the UK Government Traffic Commissioner.
- EDINBURGH TAXI DRIVER HAILED AS HERO FOR STOPPING RUNAWAY VAN
A dramatic moment in Clermiston has been captured on video showing a quick-thinking Edinburgh taxi driver stop a runaway delivery van as it sped down a residential street.
- EDINBURGH TO REVIEW BUS LANE ACCESS FOR PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLES AMID OPPOSITION
A report before the city’s transport meeting next Thursday asks councillors to look at opening up bus lanes to PHVs and calls for a review of all current bus gates.
- SUNDERLAND LOUT GIVEN SUSPENDED SENTENCE AFTER ATTACKING UBER DRIVER IN SICKNESS ROW
Scott Hamilton, 36, punched the driver, smashed a car window, and ripped off the rear-view mirror following a night out on May 20, 2023.
- ARUN COUNCIL SEEKS FEEDBACK ON MANDATORY CCTV AND PANIC BUTTONS FOR TAXIS AND PHVS
The council is asking residents, drivers, and businesses to complete a survey to address local concerns about passenger and driver safety.
- 'APPALLED AT THE DISCRIMINATION': PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER FINED FOR REFUSING BLIND PASSENGER AND GUIDE DOG
Mohamed Abid Hussain told the passenger she could not bring "her pet" into his vehicle, despite the animal wearing a high-vis harness.
All content Copyright © 2025
Private Hire and Taxi Monthly Limited