Weekend policing operation in Macclesfield focussed on taxi safety

Macclesfield Local Policing Unit joined forces with Cheshire East Council in an operation designed keep people safe.

The operation, which was conducted on Friday 25 April and Saturday 26 April revolved around officers conducting inspections of both locally licenced taxis and those licenced in other council areas that operated in Macclesfield and Poynton.

Over the two nights, officers were deployed to Poynton and Macclesfield Train Stations and taxis ranks, a main hub for taxis registered both in and outside of the two areas.

While at the ranks, officers from both the LPU and Cheshire East Council engaged with the drivers and conducted a number of safety checks, including making sure all vehicle lights were fully operational, drivers were in possession of their IDs and, where appropriate, CCTV cameras were in operation. They also checked they had road tax and insurance, the driving licence of the driver, whether the taxi is registered correctly, and whether they have the valid permits to operate.

Officers from Macclesfield Beat Management worked alongside officers from the Roads and Crime Unit in Macclesfield Town Centre on Friday and Saturday night conducting inspections of both locally licenced taxis and those licenced in other council areas that operate in Cheshire East. 

Over the course of both nights, more than 60 taxis were stopped in Macclesfield and Poynton.  Twenty-five of them were issued with Traffic Offence Reports for a variety of offences including having tyres below the legal tread depth, driving without due care and attention, using the Pedestrianised Zone as a cut through, misuse of hazard lights, failing to maintain obligatory lights, a driver not wearing a seatbelt and rear registration mark light not lit during darkness. 

Four taxis have been reported to the Local Authority for licensing offences including failing to display taxi plates correctly.

Inspector Nick Rogers said:

"It’s important for the safety of those using private hire vehicles that the cars or minibuses are roadworthy, adhering to licensing regulations and driving safely.

"The aim of this operation is to provide reassurance to those using taxis in the Macclesfield and surrounding areas, that they are safe to use and roadworthy with enforcement action being taken where appropriate. It was really reassuring to see that so many of the taxis that operate in our towns were compliant with the appropriate legislation, with the few found to be in breach being swiftly dealt with.

"Our officers will continue to support the legitimate taxi drivers in and around Macclesfield with this operation. In fact, we expect we will use this tactic in other Cheshire East areas now that we have seen its benefits in keeping people safe.”