Barnsley Council and police officers inspect 25 taxis and PHVs during targeted town centre operation, resulting in one suspension
- Perry Richardson
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
A Barnsley Council licensing enforcement operation carried out with South Yorkshire Police has led to the suspension of a licensed taxi vehicle after officers identified multiple safety and compliance breaches during roadside inspections.
According to an enforcement update due to be presented to Barnsley’s Licensing Regulatory Board on 24 June, licensing officers have continued to work closely with the hackney carriage and private hire trade, alongside partner agencies, to address concerns raised through regular trade liaison meetings. One issue highlighted by local trade representatives was the number of vehicles licensed by other authorities operating within Barnsley town centre.
The report details a proactive daytime enforcement operation conducted on 17 April 2026 involving licensing enforcement officers and South Yorkshire Police. The initiative focused on drivers and vehicles working within the town centre daytime economy. During the operation, officers stopped and inspected 23 drivers and vehicles licensed by Barnsley, alongside one vehicle licensed by Wakefield and one licensed by Wolverhampton.
One Barnsley-licensed vehicle was immediately suspended after officers found it was not displaying the required vehicle signage, had two tyres below the legal tread limit and showed accident damage. The driver also received a written warning for failing to complete a required daily vehicle check book.
All other drivers and vehicles inspected during the operation were found to be compliant with licensing requirements. However, officers stated that vehicle and driver non-compliance remains a concern during enforcement activity and stressed that breaches will be pursued regardless of which licensing authority issued the licence.
The report confirms that both proactive and reactive enforcement operations will continue on a regular basis. Licensing officers said vehicle failures are unacceptable and that operators, proprietors and drivers must take responsibility for maintaining standards.
