Taxi and PHV drivers caught lying and fraudulently altering licence face court action following ‘Taxi Cop’ action
- Perry Richardson
- Mar 28
- 1 min read
Avon and Somerset Police’s dedicated taxi enforcement officer, PC Patrick Quinton, has revealed a series of enforcement actions against taxi and private hire drivers during recent hearings at City Hall and Bath Magistrates’ Court.
One driver has had their hackney carriage and private hire licences revoked after being caught lying five times about who was driving their vehicle during traffic offences. The criminal case is ongoing and is expected to go before the courts.
In a separate case, a private hire driver was found to have fraudulently altered their paper licence to gain work with an operator. The driver has since been removed from the trade, with further legal proceedings in progress under fraud legislation.
PC Quinton, known as the ‘Taxi Cop’, also gave details of a mobile enforcement incident during the ‘Love Saves the Day’ festival. While on patrol by bike, he observed a driver using a mobile phone while behind the wheel. The vehicle also had faulty lights, and the driver was not displaying their identification badge.
The case was heard at Bath Magistrates’ Court where the driver, not licensed locally, pleaded guilty to all three offences. They were handed six DVLA penalty points and ordered to pay £432 in fines and costs.
A report has been submitted to the licensing authority responsible for the driver to consider any further action.
