Joint crackdown on taxi operators

Legitimate taxi operators should benefit from the crackdown

The first four vehicles stopped in a crackdown on taxis and hire cars in a Kent town all had defective tyres.

The joint operation between Kent Police and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council on Tuesday also revealed that some cab drivers were not properly insured.

Drivers were stopped in key locations across the town in an eight hour operation focusing on road safety and making sure drivers were licensed.

A similar operation is planned to focus on the town's late night cab trade.

Tunbridge Wells has 100 Hackney cabs and nine private hire firms.

Anthony Garnett, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's licensing team manager, said: "This joint operation is part of our ongoing campaign to protect public safety.

"We look forward to a good outcome for legitimate taxi operators and their customers across the borough."