Cross border operation sees over 70 Wolverhampton private hire vehicles checked in Manchester
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) recently teamed up with Wolverhampton Council to inspect over 70 private hire vehicles operating in Manchester. The joint operation sought to ensure drivers were adhering to their licence terms and maintaining vehicle standards.
The inspection highlighted ongoing tensions surrounding cross-border hiring, a practice that has seen drivers licensed by one authority operating in areas outside of their jurisdiction. In this case, Wolverhampton-licensed private hire vehicles were working in Manchester, prompting concerns over regulatory inconsistencies.
Cross-border hiring allows drivers to pick up fares outside the area where they are licensed. While legal, it’s a contentious issue, with local authorities arguing that it undermines their ability to regulate standards and safety within their own region.
Wolverhampton has issued a large number of licences to drivers across the UK, prompting questions about the council’s capacity to manage vehicles that often operate miles away.
Wolverhampton Council is legally required to ensure its licensed drivers and vehicles comply with regulations, even if those vehicles work predominantly outside the council’s boundaries. This necessitates travelling to areas like Manchester on a regular basis for inspections.
The practice has long sparked debate across the industry, with critics calling for tighter controls to prevent what they see as regulatory loopholes. For now, cross-border operations like the one conducted over the weekend aim to ensure that vehicles remain safe and compliant, regardless of where they are working.
A Greater Manchester Police (GMP) City Centre spokesperson said: “At the weekend our GMP Specials conducted an operation with Wolverhampton Council checking over 70 of their Private Hire Vehicles that operate in Manchester were complying with the terms of their licence and that their vehicles were in good condition.”
