Taxi drivers stripped of their licences
Firday, 24 September 2010
Taxi drivers convicted of drug dealing, assault or threatening people have had their licences blocked in a get-tough move by officials.
Staff at Canterbury City Council say they have refused four new applications for taxi driver licences, revoked two existing permits and suspended one for six months.
One driver must take a specialist driving test, and others were banned for poor driving or having cautions for criminal damage or assault.
The drivers all worked in the city, Whitstable and Herne Bay.
Commercial health manager Roger Vick said: "There has been a lot of publicity recently about the number of private hire and taxi licences in the Canterbury district.
"It is important to stress that we are legally unable to deny someone a licence if they have the right to work in this country, pass checks such as a Criminal Records Bureau check and a local knowledge test, and meet the residential requirements.
"However, when there are good reasons to either deny or revoke a licence, such as in these examples, we won't hesitate to do so.
"The safety of the public when using private hire and taxi vehicles is of paramount importance to the council.
"Local people have a right to expect the vehicle they are getting into is driven by a competent and responsible person."
Source; http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/hernebay/Ta ... ticle.html
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