We were quite surprised to see so much space devoted to a story in the Herald about calls for a rogue taxi crackdown without bothering to ask the council, which is responsible for licensing, if there is a problem.
We have investigated a report this weekend regarding a private hire vehicle with an Oxford plate, however there is no evidence to date to suggest that they had been operating as a taxi driver in Plymouth.
There is a trend with teenagers offering lifts to their personal friends on social media and often use the word ‘I am taxi-ing tonight’. Investigations and test purchases have been carried out where possible and none of these to date have been illegal taxi operations where the driver would require a licence.
We totally support Mr McIntosh’s warning that people who use ‘cowboy drivers’ could potentially put themselves in danger, but we do not believe there are any operating in Plymouth.
We do, however, take any allegations of rogue taxi drivers very seriously and will investigate any reports. To report any issue www.plymouth.gov.uk/licensingandpermits/taxilicensing/taxicomplaints or email taxi.licensing@plymouth.gov.uk.