Posted on the 24th November 2025 in PHTM News

STAGGERING RESULTS AS POLICE FIND UNSAFE UNROADWORTHY TAXIS IN CARDIFF SAFETY BLITZ

A safety operation targeting taxis and minibuses in Cardiff yielded what police have described as “staggering” results after a significant number of vehicles were found to be unsafe and unroadworthy.

The two-day operation, held on King Edward VII Avenue over the weekend of November 15 and 16, saw officers from South Wales Police team up with taxi licensing teams from Cardiff and Newport councils, as well as the DVSA.

Police stopped approximately 150 vehicles, comprising 130 taxis and 20 minibuses, revealing a host of defects.

Key findings from the operation:

  • Immediate Immobilisation: Six taxis and six minibuses were issued with immediate prohibitions and “immobilised by DVSA for being unroadworthy.”

  • Prohibition Notices: Eleven minibuses were issued prohibition notices by the DVSA.

  • Stop and Improvement Notices: Four taxis received stop notices, and six were issued with improvement notices.

  • Delayed Action: Eleven taxis and five minibuses were issued delayed prohibition notices by DVSA.

  • Court Action: Two drivers were reported to court for “using vehicles in a dangerous condition.”

  • Seizures: One minibus was seized by police for having “no insurance or licence,” and another was seized by the DVSA for being unsafe.

Chief Superintendent for Cardiff and the Vale, Marc Attwell, stressed the importance of the checks, particularly ahead of the festive season.

"During the run-up to Christmas the roads in and out of Cardiff become busier and the public must be able to trust the taxis they use," said Ch Supt Attwell. "This is why operations like this are so important."

He concluded: "As a force we are committed to taking unsafe vehicles off the road, protecting lives and keeping the public safe."


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