
A major safety operation in Three Rivers has revealed that more than a third of taxis and private hire vehicles stopped by authorities were failing to meet licensing standards.
The joint effort, led by the Community Safety Unit and local police, targeted vehicles travelling through the district to ensure they were safe for the public.
Officers from Transport for London and Wolverhampton also joined the sting, as many drivers from those areas frequently operate within Three Rivers.
During the checks, officials inspected a total of 32 vehicles and drivers from five different local authority areas.
While many were following the rules, 12 were found to be non-compliant. Inspectors identified various safety and administrative breaches, including dangerously low tyre tread and drivers failing to display their identification badges correctly.
Many of these issues were fixed on the spot, while others face further investigation by their respective licensing boards.
Sergeant Gary Yam, from the Community Safety Unit, praised the teamwork involved in the project, noting that: "the operation highlighted the importance of working with partner agencies to keep the public safe." He added that while most drivers were doing the right thing, "a number of issues were identified and addressed thanks to the joint effort."
The authorities have confirmed that drivers were ordered to fix any outstanding problems immediately to remain on the road.

Muhammad Umar, who was convicted in 2024 for his role as a landlord of a flat housing a £40,000 cannabis farm, also has a record for careless driving after he was caught speeding on the wrong side of the road to skip a r

North Yorkshire Council is considering a new policy that would require all new hackney carriage licences to be for wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs), zero-emission electric cars, or hybrids.

Gary Todd was high on street Valium when he pointed an airsoft pistol, designed to look like a real American self-loading handgun, at driver Mr. Awais.

Daniel Eckersley, also known as Daniel Bryan, appeared at Chester Crown Court following the violent incident on December 6, 2025.

Khalid Gadalseed, 50, was behind the wheel of a Mercedes Vito on September 27, 2023, when he struck Ioan Williams on Greyfriars Road, Cardiff city centre.

Avenue Taxis, Ipswich’s longest-established taxi company, and CabsSmart, the award-winning private hire operator, are rebranding as Veezu. 

The decision, made by the New Forest District Council’s general purposes and licensing committee on Friday, March 6, comes despite warnings from the trade that drivers are already struggling with a "spiralling" cost of l

Abdulhamid Alammar, 34, of the Baldslow area in St Leonards, was convicted following a trial at Lewes Crown Court on Friday, March 6, in relation to a 2024 attack that came to light during a separate investigation.

The decision follows growing frustration over out-of-town drivers working in the city under licences issued by other authorities, such as Wolverhampton.

A report by consulting firm Jacobs suggests a series of increases to account for inflation and rising costs, including a plan to raise the terminal drop-off and pick-up fee from £6 to £7.

The crash, which involved a BMW and a Saab on Pleasley Road, left both drivers trapped inside as fire began to break out.

Mr. A, who has spent over 15 years in the trade, faced a review of his suitability after he hit a member of the public on what was described as a “dark and dangerous corner” in April 2025.

Shabir Sultani, 27, targeted his victim after a night out in Sheffield city centre in early 2025 lying to her by claiming he was a licensed driver who would get her home safely.

Katie Lam, the MP for Weald of Kent, has formally asked Ashford Borough Council to rethink its decision to stop pub landlord Paul Hartfield, from driving his customers home.

Cabbi’s Women in Taxi event, sponsored by Veezu, took place in Bristol on 6 March, bringing together female leaders, operators, industry partners and entrepreneurs from across the UK taxi sector.

Qamar Farooq faced a city council licensing committee following allegations that he refused to use his meter and instead attempted to charge passengers a fixed price.

With women representing less than 7% of all private hire and taxi drivers in the UK1 - and less than 2.5% in London – the industry faces a significant gender imbalance.

Hundreds of Derby private hire drivers are waiting on a high-stakes council decision next week that could determine the future of the local trade.

Founded by 26-year-old Martyna Kalarikkal, "Monroe" currently operates with eight female drivers under licenses from Middlesbrough and Stockton Councils.

Official documents set to be discussed at a licensing meeting on Thursday 5 March, reveal deep concerns that increasing licence fees for a second year in a row could cripple the industry further.
