Wolverhampton licensed private hire vehicle in ‘dangerous condition’ suspended during Liverpool police operation
A Wolverhampton-licensed private hire vehicle (PHV) was suspended after being found in poor condition during a police operation in Liverpool. The driver was also reported for operating a vehicle in a dangerous state.
Merseyside Police Roads, alongside Merseyside Police Specials, Mersey Tunnels Police, and Liverpool City Council Licensing, carried out the enforcement on 28 February. The operation targeted a location recently linked to a fatal collision before moving to the city’s tunnels.
During checks, officers stopped the Wolverhampton PHV and deemed it unfit for the road. Licensing authorities took action immediately, suspending the vehicle from service.
Elsewhere in the operation, a driver was caught speeding at 54mph in a 30mph zone near the fatal crash site. Another vehicle, stopped for a defective headlight, led to an arrest after the driver failed a breath test with a reading of 118.
At the tunnel, police made three further arrests for drug driving, with drivers testing positive for cannabis and cocaine. Vehicle searches also uncovered drugs, and Liverpool City Council dealt with multiple taxi licensing breaches.
A Merseyside Police Roads spokesperson said on 1 March: “Last night, one of the team conducted an operation alongside Merseyside Police Specials, Mersey Tunnels Police and Liverpool City Council Licensing.
“Focusing on a location that was involved in a recent fatality then followed on with a operation at the tunnel. A number of arrests and other outcomes.
“First, a 30mph stretch of road where the fatal occurred. A driver stopped traveling at 54 miles an hour. Totally unacceptable. They will be going to court.
“Next, a Wolverhampton Council private hire vehicle (PHV). Suspended as their vehicle was in a poor condition. Driver reported for driving vehicle in a dangerous condition.
“Next, an arrest. Vehicle stopped for having a defective headlight. Resulted in the driver providing a roadside breath test of 118.
“Following this the team moved to the Tunnel to continue. 3 arrests for drug drive with the drivers testing positive for cannabis and cocaine. Multiple searches of vehicles also uncovering drugs. Liverpool City Council Licensing dealing with a number of taxi offences.”
