Taxi initiative boosts town centre safety

North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) has taken part in an initiative to boost town centre safety by carrying out spot checks on taxis operating in Ashby de la Zouch and Coalville.

The council’s licensing team and mechanics from its waste depot on Linden Way worked with Leicestershire Police on Saturday 9 August to carry out checks to ensure taxis in the district meet stringent safety standards.

As part of the Home Office’s ‘Keeping Town Centres Safe’ initiative, NWLDC licensing officers conducted spot checks on taxi drivers and vehicles to verify documentation, while NWLDC depot mechanics performed technical inspections at the Linden Way depot.

Police officers carried out licence and insurance checks and provided a reassuring presence for members of the public. During the initiative, 13 vehicles were inspected, of which 10 passed, two failed and will require a retest, and one driver failed to attend the test and will now face further investigation.

Councillor Michael Wyatt, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Climate Change at NWLDC, said:

“This joined-up initiative not only helps to maintain high standards in the taxi trade but also sends a clear message: safety is everyone’s responsibility.

“The feedback from the evening has been overwhelmingly positive, with drivers and passengers telling us they appreciated the support and professionalism of the teams involved.

“I’m pleased that this proactive initiative has helped ensure that taxis operating in our district are safe, compliant and ready to serve the public responsibly.”