Posted on the 9th January 2026 in PHTM News
SEAGULLING SURGE: EDINBURGH TAXI DRIVER SLAMS ENFORCEMENT FAILURE OVER ILLEGAL PICK UPS
Tensions are rising on the streets of the capital as black cab drivers accuse city officials and police of turning a blind eye to private hire vehicles illegally plying for hire.
Keith Auld, a taxi driver and Unite trade union representative, has sounded the alarm over the practice known as “seagulling,” where private hire drivers pick up passengers directly from the street. The issue is reportedly most rampant on Market Street, adjacent to Waverley Station.
In a formal letter to Police Scotland, Mr. Auld described the situation as a “serious and growing problem” that has become “widespread and highly visible.”
He warned that the congestion caused by these vehicles is creating a “hazardous environment” for the public. “I am seeking meaningful stakeholder engagement to address what is, at its core, a significant public safety and licensing failure,” Auld stated.
“My colleagues feel greatly let down by the lack of meaningful enforcement and police engagement.”
The frustration is shared by the Scottish Private Hire Association (SPHA). Stewart Livingston, convener of the SPHA Edinburgh branch, agreed that standards have slipped due to a lack of fear of repercussions.
Both sides of the trade have united in criticising a recent one-week suspension handed to a PHV driver caught picking up a passenger without a booking.
Mr. Livingston labelled the punishment “pathetic” and “ridiculous,” arguing that the driver “should have lost his licence right away.” “The punishment coming for serious breaches of licence conditions is crazy,” Livingston said. “It all comes down to the council upholding standards in Edinburgh.”
While acknowledging the need for enforcement, Mr. Livingston challenged the taxi trade to provide harder proof of the "seagulling" claims.
“Every single driver has a smart phone... these accusations have been going round for a long time, and very little to no evidence has been shown,” he noted, suggesting that many PHVs are simply waiting for legitimate app-based bookings.
City authorities insist they are monitoring the situation. Licensing Sub-Committee Convener, Councillor Joanna Mowat, stated that the council expects “everyone to follow the rules” and will pursue enforcement where appropriate.
Chief Superintendent David Robertson confirmed that Police Scotland has received the complaints, adding: “Public safety is our priority... any individual cases highlighted will be investigated and reported.”
Read another story
- PH DRIVER AND PASSENGER ARRESTED IN WAKEFIELD AFTER POLICE SEIZE LARGE QUANTITY OF DRUGS
Recent community intelligence has been gathered regarding drug dealers using PHVs as a mode of transport to distribute drugs in this area and this has increased over the last month.
- ADCU CALLS UK WIDE 24 HOUR UBER STRIKE ON TUESDAY 3 FEBRUARY
The ADCU has announced a UK-wide, 24-hour strike against Uber on Monday 3 February, calling on all PH drivers to log out of the Uber app from midnight on 3 February until midnight on 4 February.
- MIDDLESBROUGH CABBIE JAILED AFTER BEING PAID FOR DRUG DEALING IN CRACK COCAINE
Abhad Ahmed, 38, appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Friday, January 16, where the court heard how his descent into the drug trade has cost him "his wife, his job and his home."
- "A NIGHTMARE": VETERAN PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER SLAMS BRISTOL AIRPORTS UNFAIR PARKING FEES
Steve Usher claims the airport’s layout and pricing structure are “designed to take as much funds as they possibly can,” making his daily working life a struggle.
- PURE GREED UTTLESFORD TAXI DRIVERS LASH OUT AT PROPOSED LICENCE FEE HIKES
The council argues that the increases are necessary to prevent a potential shortage of drivers and to ensure the licensing department remains financially viable.
- SPEEDING BRADFORD LICENSED PH DRIVER DROPS APPEAL AFTER NAMING WIFE IN FAILED DECEPTION
Gebrebrahan Nayzgi, of Leeds, withdrew his appeal at Bradford Magistrates' Court on Friday, 16 January, confirming the permanent revocation of his right to operate as a private hire driver.
- TRANSPORT MINISTER SIGNALS OPENESS TO MANDATORY CCTV IN TAXIS & PHVS AMID LICENSING CRACKDOWN
The government is considering making CCTV mandatory in taxis as part of new national licensing standards, Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood has told MPs.
- POLICE LAUNCH INVESTIGATION AFTER GLASGOW TAXI TORCHED IN "WILFUL" ATTACK
Police Scotland confirmed they are treating the incident, which occurred on Stronend Street around 2:35 pm, as "wilful."
- GLASGOW LICENSING: OVERCHARGING CABBIE BLOCKED WHILE MAN WHO THREW FIREWORK FROM CAR GIVEN LICENCE
The decisions have placed the city’s “fit and proper person” standard under the spotlight as councillors weighed past criminal behaviour against professional misconduct.
- NOTTINGHAM CABBIE TRIUMPHS IN EIGHT MONTH LEGAL BATTLE AFTER E BIKE CRASH
Sarbjit Gill, 58, was picking up two students near Derby Road one evening in April when a Lime bike ploughed into the side of his vehicle.
- SHEFFIELD CABBIES DECLARE "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH" AS RISING VIOLENCE CREATES NO-GO AREAS
Drivers reported being targeted with bricks and other missiles, with some describing harrowing accounts of windscreens being shattered while they were behind the wheel.
- ROAD RAGE MAN WHO TRIED TO GOUGE OUT ABERDEEN CABBIE'S EYE AFTER 5 DAY BENDER IS JAILED
James Smith, 41, appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court for sentencing following the violent confrontation on Hutcheon Street on August 5 last year.
- WOLVERHAMPTON MAN 76 IN COURT OVER 2008 COLD CASE SHOOTING OF TIPTON CABBIE
David Harrison, of Bilston, appeared at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court in connection with the death of "39-year-old taxi driver, Harun Khan almost 18 years ago."
- GETT EYES 50 MILLION UK EXIT MONTHS AFTER TAKEOVER AS FOCUS SHIFTS TO ISRAEL
Less than half a year after its acquisition by a heavyweight investment consortium, taxi app Gett is in advanced negotiations to offload its UK operations to a local competitor for c. $50m.
- FIFE TAXI OPERATORS FACE CRACKDOWN AFTER ALARMING SPOT CHECK FAILURES
Members of Fife Council’s Regulation and Licensing Committee heard that random inspections were carried out over three evenings in November.
- HGV DRIVER JAILED FOR 10 YEARS AFTER M62 HORROR TAXI CRASH KILLED TWO RYANAIR PILOTS
Anthony Burns, 63, was travelling at approximately 56mph on July 11, 2024, when he failed to notice stationary traffic near Warrington.
- WATFORD UNVEILS PROPOSED TAXI FARE OVERHAUL: PUBLIC CONSULTATION NOW OPEN
Residents and commuters are being invited to have their say on a new "Hackney Carriage Table of Fares" as Watford Borough Council moves to update taxi tariffs for 2026.
- ROTHER COUNCILLORS BACK TOUGHER PENALTIES FOR TAXI TRADE
At a meeting on Monday, January 12, Rother District Council’s Licensing and General Purposes Committee threw its support behind proposals that introduce new triggers for disciplinary action.
- SHEFFIELD STATION PASSENGERS BRACED AS MAJOR ROAD OVERHAUL BEGINS TO TACKLE GRIDLOCK
Black cabs will be granted "exclusive access to the under-cover pick-up area" directly by the station doors, while private hire vehicles are set to take over the current public set-down zone.
- NORTH AYRSHIRE MOVES TOWARD 12 PER CENT TAXI FARE HIKE
Under the new proposals, the initial "flag fall" for standard journeys (Tariff 1) would climb from £3.50 to £4.00, while the higher Tariff 2 rate would rise from £4.00 to £4.50.
All content Copyright © 2026
Private Hire and Taxi Monthly Limited