East Riding of Yorkshire Council implements safety measures to protect taxi passengers and warns of the danger of bogus taxi drivers at Christmas

East Riding of Yorkshire Council is warning about the danger of using bogus taxi drivers and is taking action to keep residents safe.

Residents should make sure they plan ahead and only use legally licensed taxis. During the festive period, the council’s licensing team sees an increase in reports of bogus vehicles purporting to be lawful taxi services. These unlicensed drivers or vehicles have not been vetted or checked and are often illegally offered through social media.

All East Riding licensed vehicles are now fitted with new and updated CCTV systems, covering all the internal of the vehicle and a forward fitting dashcam to promote public safety. The new systems have an audio recording facility which can be activated by passengers, or the driver, should any party feel at risk.

All taxi users are urged to make sure their taxi is a licensed service or private hire car before they set off. All licensed drivers will have a driver's identity badge issued by the council, which should be prominently displayed at all times.

The council's licensing team will also be providing visible taxi marshals who will be working to ensure those celebrating Christmas and New Year get home safely.

The marshals will operate in Beverley Saturday Market on Friday 20 December from 8pm until 3am, Saturday 21 December from 8pm until 3am, and on New Year's Eve from 10pm until 3am. They will help ensure people leave the town centre safely, using licensed vehicles.

Residents who have not pre-booked their journey home from anywhere in the East Riding should be aware that any vehicle they flag down or approach for immediate hire must be an East Riding licensed Hackney Carriage.

Vehicles from outside the East Riding cannot lawfully collect customers for immediate hire, and doing this may invalidate their insurance and put customers at risk.

Only Hackney Carriage cabs can be hailed in the street or on a taxi rank and they should carry a plate on the back of the vehicle. East Riding licensed vehicles display white oval door stickers and have a top light saying "Taxi."

Private hire vehicles must always be booked in advance and display a plate on the back of the vehicle – East Riding licensed vehicles have yellow oval stickers on the front passenger doors saying "pre-booked" only

Councillor Lyn Healing, East Riding of Yorkshire Council cabinet member for communities and public protection said “We know this time of year sees increased frequency of unlicensed taxis so it is vital to take extra precautions to stay safe. I encourage people to be stringent in only accepting trips from trusted, licensed taxis, and to report concerns to the council’s licensing team.”

Anyone with concerns about unlicensed taxis should contact the council's licensing team - email taxi.hub@eastriding.gov.uk

More information on how to recognise East Riding licensed vehicles, and how to stay safe can be found at Taxi licensing information for the general public