Taxi Driver Online

Taxi driver who took un-booked fare from undercover cops outside nightclub gets £3,000+ court bill

https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/cri ... ourt-bill/

A taxi driver who was caught accepting an un-booked fare from undercover police officers outside a nightclub has been prosecuted and ordered to pay more than £3,000.

Gurpreet Singh of Wildwood, Woodside, Telford, was brought to court for unlawful private hire activity.

Singh, operating under a driver badge issued by Wolverhampton City Council, was found guilty on March 14 of plying for hire without valid insurance. It was brought to light during an enforcement exercise conducted on November 27 of 2022.

During a partnership exercise with Telford & Wrekin Council and West Mercia Police, Singh accepted an un-booked fare outside Pussycats in Tan Bank, Wellington. Subsequently, Mr Singh agreed to transport undercover officers to a pre-arranged location, thus violating private hire regulations.

Telford & Wrekin Council deputy leader and cabinet member for homes & enforcement Councillor Richard Overton said: “Operations like this are just a small part of the work carried out by our Safer Telford teams as part of the council wider ambition to make Telford and Wrekin a cleaner and safer place to live.

“Thanks to all partners involved for their efforts in bringing this case to justice.”

Singh has been fined £346. Additionally, costs amounting to £2,525 have been awarded to the council and Singh must also pay a victim surcharge of £138. He must pay the full £3,009 within 28 days, and eight penalty points were endorsed on his licence.

Councillor Craig Collingswood, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change for Wolverhampton Council, said: "Wolverhampton Council is committed to supporting Telford & Wrekin Council with these enforcement exercises. Public safety is of paramount importance.

"As a result of the court hearing, we will now be reviewing Mr Singh’s driver’s licence. As a result, his licence may be revoked.”

Councillor Overton added: “We will continue to work diligently alongside law enforcement agencies to ensure compliance with regulations and safeguard the interests of our community.”

Complaints about Telford & Wrekin Council licensed drivers can be made online at telford.gov.uk/cabsafe.

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IDFIMH

Of course, instructive that that's appeared on the council's website on the same day as the announcement about the joint enforcement protocol, or whatever. (Or the PR protocol )

And, of course, both share the same 'safety is paramount' style of PR and rhetoric

For what it's worth, this is the official council press notice. Don't know if it's much different from the Express & Star rehash above, but to be honest can barely be bothered reading either of them in detail


Action taken against unlawful private hire activity.

https://newsroom.telford.gov.uk/News/Details/17205

A recent court hearing saw Mr Gurpreet Singh of Wildwood, Woodside, Telford, successfully prosecuted for unlawful private hire activity.

Singh, operating under a driver badge issued by Wolverhampton City Council, was found guilty of plying for hire without valid insurance on Thursday March 14. This unlawful activity was brought to light during an enforcement exercise conducted on November 27 2022.

During a partnership exercise with Telford & Wrekin Council and West Mercia Police, Mr Singh accepted an un-booked fare outside Pussycats Nightclub in Tan Bank, Wellington. Subsequently, Mr Singh agreed to transport undercover officers to a pre-arranged location, thus violating private hire regulations.

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Homes & Enforcement, Councillor Richard Overton (Lab) said: “Operations like this are just a small part of the work carried out by our Safer Telford teams as part of the council wider ambition to make Telford and Wrekin a cleaner and safer place to live.

“Thanks to all partners involved for their efforts in bringing this case to justice.”

Because of his actions, Mr Singh has been fined £346. Additionally, costs amounting to £2,525 have been awarded to the local authority and a Victims Surcharge of £138 applied. Mr Singh is required to pay £3,009 within 28 days, and eight penalty points will be endorsed on his DVLA licence.

Councillor Craig Collingswood, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change for City of Wolverhampton Council said: ‘City of Wolverhampton Council is committed to supporting Telford & Wrekin Council with these enforcement exercises. Public safety is of paramount importance. As a result of the court hearing, we will now be reviewing Mr Singh’s driver’s licence. As a result, his licence may be revoked.”

Telford & Wrekin Council remains committed to upholding the highest standards of safety and integrity within the private hire industry. Councillor Overton added: “We will continue to work diligently alongside law enforcement agencies to ensure compliance with regulations and safeguard the interests of our community.”

Complaints about Telford & Wrekin Council licensed drivers can be made online at www.Telford.gov.uk/cabsafe

So where do you complain about drivers licensed elsewhere - you know, like the one above who was caught out in a 'partnership operaton' because 'safety is paramount'?

The only mystery here is whether the council here really is happy about all this, or whether they're just making the best of a bad lot for PR purposes...