Due to total inaction by our local council, we have undertaken our own “test purchases”.

In order to pursue a number of private prosecutions against private hire and other drivers, their names and addresses, their insurance status and any details of (supposed) pre-bookings are required as evidence – which the council are authorised, by law, to obtain.

As registrations and plate numbers have all been logged, the details should be readily to hand by the LO.

However, without names and addresses, prosecutions cannot proceed, but the council will not release details unless a prosecution is under way! - Catch 22.

Obviously, a prosecution would prove their ineptitude in any case, so a further reason for them to be, let us say less than helpful!

Any ideas how I can proceed?

However, without names and addresses, prosecutions cannot proceed, but the council will not release details unless a prosecution is under way! - Catch 22

The majority had neither a badge worn on their person, or on display in the vehicle, unfortunately. Another symptom of a council that does not give a monkeys, and will not properly enforce their own rules

Following them is a thought - but would we be leaving ourselves open for trouble (stalking or something?)

does that Give away the fact that your A vigilante type group and not an official government recognised body??

In reply to Bloodnock:

(n). A Vigilantee is an unauthorized person who conduct a trial on the accused persons with or without collecting evidences or ascertaining the truth and confer punishment to the accused considering the depth of crime involved. A Vigilantee is not legally authorized person to do such trials and order punishments. They get the authority from social status, knowledge, wealth, reputation, physical power etc.

With respect, I accept I am not an "authorised person", but I do represent a large number of very p*ssed off drivers.

We are therefore collecting evidence, in a responsible manner, to present to a court of law for their attention and action - which the relevant councils should be doing under the raft of legislation they (supposedly) operate under.

If due process is carried out, whatever the outcome in the courts, I will be satisfied.

When you say:

Our intention was to protect our witnesses and not provoke confrontation.

My my..we've hit a raw nerve here

You did say that the details are kept in a public register, can anybody point me at the relevant legislation that allows access - the councils insist that an FOI request will not do either.

I thought they'd joined a well known Union?

CC

Clearly they wish to go it alone. I wish them well.

So do I, however, I do think they'd be better off in either a Union or association, even if just for advice.

I know they will, but at least they are giving it a go.