Taxis in Huddersfield and Kirklees stopped by police for safety checks and staggering amount fail

Spot checks by police caught out a number of taxi drivers with 'defective' cars in Huddersfield.

West Yorkshire Police along with Kirklees Council licensing officers carried out a number of checks in New Hey Road on Monday this week, including stopping 18 taxis. Staff from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency joined the operation.

One taxi driver was suspended for an unspecified reason, while another five were given tickets for vehicle defects. In total, 45 vehicles were stopped and checked.

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Three drivers were found to be driving without insurance and were reported to the courts for further action. One vehicle was found to have two tyres with tread below the legal limit.

A total of 18 taxis were stopped and checked. One driver was suspended and five were given rectification tickets for vehicle defects.

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One vehicle defective notice was issued for the need for minor rectification within the next 14 days.

Members of the public responded to the crackdown after West Yorkshire Police posted the details on social media. One man said: "So a third of taxis have noteworthy defects. Very reassuring for potential taxi users."

One woman defended taxi drivers, writing: "It says 45 vehicles were stopped (not all taxis). There are more private cars with much worse defects. Stop picking on taxi drivers and making out that they’re the only ones with defects."