
An investigation has revealed a dramatic rise in complaints filed against taxi and private hire drivers across Oxfordshire, with local councils logging 714 reports over the 2025/26 period - a significant leap from 601 the previous year and nearly double the 368 reported in 2021/22.
The sharpest increase occurred in Oxford City, where complaints surged to 549 over the past year - marking a 139% rise compared to the 229 complaints recorded in 2021/22. Since April 2021, the city council alone has logged nearly 2,000 complaints against local drivers.
The reports submitted to local authorities detail a wide range of misconduct by private hire and taxi drivers. Frequently cited issues include speeding, abusive behaviour toward passengers, and unauthorised or illegal parking.
However, several cases upheld by local councils highlighted far more serious regulatory breaches. In one instance, a driver was disciplined for refusing service to a visually impaired passenger traveling with a Guide Dog. In another upheld complaint, a driver turned away a wheelchair user, claiming the vehicle’s boot was too full to accommodate their equipment.
Enforcement actions have followed the rise in reports. Cherwell District Council disclosed that over the past five years, it has suspended or revoked 39 driver licences due to misconduct or regulatory non-compliance. (West Oxfordshire District Council did not supply data for the investigation.)
In response to the figures, representatives from the local taxi trade urged the public to distinguish between different types of service providers, noting that Oxford City Council’s figures combine traditional hackney carriages (black cabs) with private hire and ride-hailing drivers.
Sajad Khan, representing the City of Oxford Licensed Taxicab Association, defended local black cab operators, highlighting that the city’s Hackney Carriage fleet is 100% wheelchair accessible and subject to rigorous local safety and conduct standards. He emphasised that traditional cabbies remain dedicated to maintaining high standards of public service and safety across the city.

Scot McCluskey, 37, pleaded guilty at Hamilton Sheriff Court to assaulting the cabbie to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

Liberty Mitchell, who had passed her driving test just three weeks prior to the December 2022 crash, was originally sentenced to six years and eight months at Gloucester Crown Court.

Following separate hearings on July 7, 2026, councillors concluded that each case raised serious doubts about whether the individuals remained "fit and proper" to hold or be granted a licence

The committee heard that the 10 per cent boost was considered a "reasonable" adjustment to help drivers cope with rising operational expenses since maximum fares were last raised in October 2022.

The victim, a woman in her 80s, had already lost over £3,000 to a scammer impersonating her bank who later booked a cab to collect her card under the guise of destroying it.

Officers from Cheshire Police teamed up with Cheshire West and Chester Council to pull over 12 taxis and private hire vehicles for random checks.

Following representations from licensing officers, the driver, and his representative, the council concluded that he was "not a fit and proper person to hold a private hire driver licence."

James Thomas, 30, from Swansea, had been attending a Christmas party at the NEC in Birmingham on December 21 with his partner while a babysitter looked after their ten-month-old child.

For nearly 20 years, an armada of hackney carriages has operated under the informal banner of "Poppy Cabs," providing free transport for war veterans to the annual national Remembrance Day service.

Under current rules, the DfT authorises driverless vehicles on public roads, but TfL holds licensing power over paid passenger services and must grant consent before commercial operations can begin.

Cabbies report that youths on bikes and electric scooters flee the scene quickly, forcing drivers to avoid hotspots such as Parson Cross, Shiregreen, Southey Green, and Woodthorpe during peak hours.

The firm is launching its latest campaign aiming to install Bleed Control Kits across the city to help victims of knife crime. 


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Council officers described the proposed rise in a report as "reasonable", explaining it reflects the growing financial pressures and rising costs faced by drivers since fares were adjusted in Oct 2022.

Working alongside Kirklees Council Taxi Licensing near New College, police launched the proactive clampdown to target illegal driving and ensure vehicles on the road were complying with regulations.

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The sweep, which ran from 4pm on July 18 to 2am the following morning, focused on ensuring passenger vehicles were safe, roadworthy, and operating legally. 
