Heathrow Airport taxi tout faces further charges after court disqualifies driver for no insurance and ‘stealth plates’
A driver previously caught touting for taxi services at Heathrow Airport is facing a string of new charges, according to the Metropolitan Police’s Aviation Policing unit.
The individual was disqualified from driving for six months after appearing in court last week. The court ruling followed offences including driving without insurance, using “stealth plates” to obscure the vehicle’s identity, and operating with a defective tyre. However, moments after leaving court, the driver was spotted driving off despite the disqualification order.
He is now under investigation for additional offences, including failing to stop for police, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, and dangerous driving. A sentencing hearing is expected to follow.
Taxi touting refers to the illegal act of soliciting passengers for hire without a proper licence. At major transport hubs like Heathrow, touts often approach passengers, offering unauthorised or unregulated taxi services. This practice breaches laws designed to ensure passenger safety, fair competition, and proper vehicle standards.
Operating without the necessary licences means touts bypass critical safety and insurance checks, placing passengers at risk.
A Met Police Aviation Policing Heathrow spokesperson said: “The Safer Airport team officers were at court last week with a known tout. He was disqualified for 6 month for no insurance, stealth plates and a defective tyre. When leaving court he was seen driving off after being disqualified.
“He is now up for failing to stop, no insurance, disqualified driving and dangerous driving. Sentence hearing to follow.”
