Ipswich Borough Council has revealed its efforts to ensure public safety within its taxi and private hire sector, confirming the revocation of 16 drivers' licences since the beginning of 2020.
The move comes as the council reviews licences, addressing concerns ranging from DVLA issues and medical conditions to more serious allegations flagged by police and other authorities.
According to a council spokesperson, this ongoing process underscores their commitment to passenger well-being.
"The council is responsible for ensuring, as far as possible, the safety of the public when travelling in an Ipswich Borough Council licensed taxi or private hire vehicle," they stated. "To achieve this, we ensure that all licensed taxi and private hire drivers remain fit and proper to continue to hold a licence."
The reasons behind the revocations highlight the seriousness with which the council is treating potential breaches of conduct. Notably, one driver faced licence withdrawal in March of this year following accusations of "four serious allegations of dishonesty."
Furthermore, last year saw Suffolk police intervene in three separate incidents, leading to the arrest or charging of drivers with serious offences, ultimately resulting in the loss of their licences.
While the council did not elaborate on the specific nature of all 16 cases, the information released signals a clear message: Ipswich Borough Council is actively working to maintain standards and protect the public by holding its licensed drivers accountable.
Police have launched a murder investigation following the death of a 47-year-old Hertfordshire taxi driver, Jesbir Singh Khela, whose body was discovered in a burnt-out car earlier this year.
The initiative, which also saw council licensing officers checking the condition and compliance of taxis, has been hailed a success by both authorities.
Aaron Johnson received his sentence at Oxford Crown Court on Friday, 25 April, having pleaded guilty to charges of robbery and possession of a knife in a public place.
The launch follows an onboarding process that began last month at Lomeshaye Business Park in Nelson, where hundreds of local drivers were expected to register for both the Pendle and Blackburn areas.
Licensing chiefs are set to review the current tariff next week following a request from taxi firms citing rising National Insurance contributions and the increase in the living wage.
Hussain further compounded his crimes by offering one of his victims £6,000 to drop her complaint, a charge to which he later pleaded guilty.
Phillipe Brooks, 58, admitted to driving with 7.7 micrograms of cannabis per litre of blood in his system, exceeding the legal limit of 2mg.
One driver, Tony, who has worked in the area for nearly 40 years, claims he faces a near 10-week wait after his licence expired in April.
The incident reportedly occurred around 1 pm on Sunday, 27 April, in Sandgate, near the Greenbridge Roundabout.
A joint operation by Police Scotland and Highland Council's trading standards team in Inverness city centre on Friday, 25 April, saw roadside checks conducted on 30 taxi and private hire vehicles.
The move follows an "Unmet Demand Survey" which highlighted longer passenger wait times compared to pre-pandemic levels and continued difficulties for disabled users, particularly wheelchair users.
Private hire drivers across the Uk and globally are staging a 24-hour strike today, 1 May, in an effort to demand better pay, improved working conditions and protections for gig economy workers.
Operation Recordings, carried out by Chester Beat Management Team and the Special Constabulary, was established in a bid to ensure taxis were safe, correctly licensed and compliant with their regulations.
Drivers fear the move is a "backdoor route" to scrapping local fare zones, ultimately pushing drivers towards more profitable urban areas and leaving rural communities behind.
Smith "refused to get out of the taxi" and was "threatening to the driver and threatening to smash his face in." When police arrived, Smith continued his aggressive behaviour.
Macclesfield Local Policing Unit joined forces with Cheshire East Council in an operation designed keep people safe.
This move by South Staffordshire Council's licensing committee aims to bolster safety following a worrying spate of assaults on taxi drivers in the region.
From Thursday 1 May, we will be introducing cash as a payment option for riders and we will be letting you decide if you want to take cash trips.
The man, in his 50s, pleaded guilty at a pre-trial hearing on December 11, 2024, to racially/religiously aggravated intentional harassment/alarm following the incident on May 12, 2024.
Talal Bin Mumtaz Raja, from Reading, was found guilty of four offences at Reading Magistrates' Court on April 7, 2025.