Dangerous limo and cabs taken off the road during crackdown in Brighton

A limo and half a dozen cabs were taken out of service during a crackdown by police and officials in Brighton.

More than 40 vehicles were stopped and checked in Old Steine, Brighton, in a joint operation at the weekend, Sussex Police said.

Police teamed up with the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) and Brighton and Hove City Council to carry out the safety checks.

The force said: “VOSA officials issued prohibition notices on a limo, a taxi and a car because they were so unroadworthy that they could not be driven away.

“They told the drivers of a car, a limo and a double decker party bus that they had 10 days to get them repaired and roadworthy.

“They also warned the drivers of four other vehicles that they were technically committing offences and should get their vehicles fixed.

“Council taxi licensing officers issued five prohibition notices to private hire and Hackney cab drivers banning them from taking passengers in their vehicles until they complied with the law.

“They also told another five taxi drivers to get repairs done to their vehicles within 10 days or they would be banned from carrying passengers in the city.”

The checks were carried out between 7pm and 11pm on Saturday (10 August), one of the busiest times for taxis in the area.

Police officers issued six warnings to drivers over the condition of their vehicles and told a further three that they faced prosecution for traffic offences.

Chief Inspector Natalie Moloney, the head of Sussex Police’s road policing unit, said: “Every person who gets into a taxi or private hire vehicle should feel safe in the knowledge that they are not being put in danger.

“We will continue to work closely with other agencies to keep all road users as safe as possible.

“Anyone who knows of any vehicles being driven which are dangerous or are being driven dangerously can visit www.operationcrackdown.org or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”

VOSA operations director Alex Fiddes said: “VOSA is pleased to be working with other organisations such as the police and local councils to ensure non-compliant vehicles are removed from our roads. Working on joint roadside operations with organisations such as the police, helps VOSA work towards its aim of saving lives, cutting crime and protecting the environment.”