Taxi Driver Online

150 criminal cabbies told they can stay on the road MORE than 150 taxi and private hire drivers have been allowed to work on Edinburgh's streets despite police fears that they are unfit to hold a licence.


• Most police objections to licences relate to criminal or driving convictions.

It emerged today that councillors overruled official police objections - usually relating to criminal or driving convictions - in almost 50 per cent of cases, sparking safety concerns.

While the exact nature of the criminal convictions has not been revealed, drivers with convictions for sex offences and even murder could technically be allowed to work.

Council chiefs today insisted the safety of the travelling public was always their main priority, adding that the police "haven't registered any concerns with us about our licensing decisions".

The figures, which cover the last two years and were revealed to the Evening News under freedom of information laws, showed that police have made 326 objections over the last two years, with the council only agreeing in 171 cases.

Crucially, police only object where there is genuine concern, not for anyone with a record.

Kevin Woodburn, a director of Edinburgh City Private Hire and the chairman of the Edinburgh Private Hire Association, said: "The fact that these objections have been overturned is of great concern. Unfortunately, we do not know the basis for overturning the objections.

"Other councils across the country inform the companies of these types of decisions, and the drivers concerned, to allow the companies to make an informed decision."

Councillor Jeremy Balfour, leader of the Conservative group on the council, said: "I would hope that we always act on the side of caution and any police objections have to be taken very seriously."

Inspector Frank Smith, the taxi examination centre inspector, carries out background checks on all applicants and lodges objections. He said: "For most of the objections, they are made because we do not believe they are a fit and proper person to deal with the public. But it's up to the council to make a judgement."

According to council guidelines, drink-drivers caught in an isolated incident should not necessarily be disqualified.

Applicants with drug-related convictions have to wait three years to apply, while anyone convicted of indecency or indecent exposure must wait three to five years.

Convicted rapists, meanwhile, "will not normally be granted a licence".

Councillor Colin Keir, chairman of the licensing sub-committee, said: "The safety of the travelling public is always our main priority and we have a good working relationship with the police, who haven't registered any concerns with us."

http://www.scotsman.com/news/150-crimin ... 6682904.jp

FFS "will not normally be granted a licence". that should have read will not be granted a licence

Well surely if they are banned from driving for 12-60 months they can't drive cabs.

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IDFIMH

Bullshi*




These [edited by admin] object to anyone no matter how trivial their offence is.

Inspector Frank Smith, couldn't recognise a fit and proper person supposing he jumped up and bit him on the ar*e.

Unfortunately Gary is correct on this one,

There will be objections for errors in the paperwork.

A friend of mine renewed his licence last year, He forgot to state on the form details of a breach of the peace charge from when he was a teenager (he is in his fifties now!).

He recived a letter stating that the police would object because of this.

The cab office already had FULL details of this offence on record from when he was originally granted his licence.

They were going to object, not because of the offence, but simlpy that he had forgotten about it and did not put it on the renewal form.

He did manage to get it sorted out though, but without much help from the cab office.

What we need are details of any incidents involving the cab inspector.

I did something daft when I was 16 nearly 30 years ago, obstructing Police and common assault. When we found out that the rehabilitation of offenders act didn't apply to us anymore the Council dragged me in.

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