Bracknell

An initiative which saw the safety of taxis and other private hire vehicles checked has been carried out by police and their partner agencies in Bracknell Forest.

Thames Valley Police’s Roads Policing Unit teamed up with Bracknell Forest Borough Council and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) to undertake tests, with 75 vehicles checked on 18 July.

PC Guy Summers, of the Roads Policing Unit based at Taplow, said: “The aim of the operation was to make sure that taxis in the area are safe for members of the public to use.”

A total of 27 taxi drivers at Kennel Lane School, Kennel Lane in Bracknell were requested to take their vehicles to the check site on Market Street.

Many other Bracknell taxi drivers were asked to go along, and consequently visited the test location, while several drivers took their vehicles to the site voluntarily.

Of those 75 vehicles tested, 60 were either Hackney carriages or private hire vehicles.

The testing, which occurred from 8am to noon, found that approximately six drivers of the 60 taxi or private hire vehicles had committed offences ranging from having defective tyres to not possessing the correct safety equipment. Two drivers did not have a license to carry passengers – they were consequently interviewed by officers.

PC Summers said: “I am pleased with the results of this check. They are similar to the results that we collected last year and show that, on average, taxis in Bracknell are safe.

“Both Bracknell Forest Borough Council and the police are interested in any drivers who may be committing an offence and putting the safety of the public at risk.

“We welcome any intelligence that may lead to the prosecution of rogue operators and their drivers, and which may improve safety for the public.”

Robert Sexton, head of trading standards and licensing at Bracknell Forest Borough Council, said: “I am pleased that the general standard of our licensed vehicles remains very high.

“We will continue to work with our local taxi and private hire companies to ensure a safe service is provided to residents of and visitors to Bracknell Forest.”

Anyone who has concerns about taxi safety and standards, and would like to report an issue, should phone police via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505. Those who do not want to talk to police or leave their name can call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell