The Lincolnshire Guide > News > Warning over bogus taxis in Boston

Warning over bogus taxis in Boston

Police and Boston Borough Council are warning people about the risks of using unlicensed taxis after reports that bogus cabs are plying their trade in the town.

Official taxis display an illuminated roof light and will bear a Boston Borough Council licence plate at the rear of the vehicle.  The cars are subjected to a stringent twice-yearly roadworthiness test and drivers also undergo an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check to ensure their suitability.  They will have a clearly-visible form of ID on their person in the form of a badge.

Licensing Officer, PC Andy Heath, is concerned that people are putting their safety at risk by giving their business to those looking to flout the law in order to make fast money.

"If you use an unlicensed taxi, you have no way of knowing if the car you are travelling in is mechanically sound or whether the driver is a safe person to be with." explained PC Heath. "It will certainly not have the necessary hire and reward insurance and the driver may not even have a valid driving licence."

Principal Licensing and Land Charges Officer, Fiona White, from Boston Borough Council said "Offenders are committing the offence of plying for hire without a Hackney Carriage Proprietor or Driver licence and we have the authority to prosecute them.  The penalty is a maximum fine of £2,500 for each fare picked up."

PC Heath finished by saying: "You wouldn’t accept a lift from a complete stranger, especially if you were alone, vulnerable and possibly under the influence of alcohol. Taking a ride in an unlicensed taxi exposes you to a similar level of risk and it is simply not worth taking that chance."

Official hackney carriage operators have many hurdles to overcome before they are licensed and are a group of professional people who offer a quality service, which is as safe and secure as it can be.

If you have any information that may lead to identifying an unofficial taxi,  please bring this to the attention of the police or the council licensing department.

Article Published: 07/09/2010

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