Bid to drive out the taxi 'rogues' (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Bid to drive out the taxi 'rogues'

TAXI drivers have hired a private investigator to catch rogue minicab drivers.

Around 150 legitimate drivers are digging into their pockets to pay the three-figure wages of the private eye.

They are worried that it could only be a matter of time before a rogue cabbie takes advantage of a drunken girl.

Since he was hired at the beginning of January, he claims to have gathered tape recordings and photographic evidence, which prove 15 illegal minicabs are operating in Swindon.

Tony Johnson, spokesman for the Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU), which represents the drivers, is organising the operation.

He claims that his members are being forced into the action to save their reputations.

"It's a disgrace that we are having to take this action," said Mr Johnson.

"We are effectively doing the police's and the council's jobs on top of our own. Hackney carriage drivers feel badly let down.

"Hopefully by collecting the evidence ourselves we can simply hand it over and get these people prosecuted."

Mr Johnson warned that it is only a matter of time before there is a serious incident.

He said: "There are extremely vulnerable people out there who think they are getting into licensed taxis.

"These drivers have had no police or council check. Anything could happen to them and when it does all taxi drivers will be tarnished with the same brush. We can't let that happen."

The union official says that it is an on-going problem, which stems from the restaurant trade.

He said: "These drivers hang around outside the restaurants in the town centre near to the college waiting for their fares."

Now Mr Johnson says that the problem is quickly spreading to the pub and club scene.

He said that many girls who had been drinking in night clubs may take unlicensed taxis and were vulnerable.

"It's causing real concern. I have offered to take councillors for a tour around the town centre but they have declined they are all most probably tucked up in bed.

"Something awful is waiting to happen but we are not being listened to."

But Rod Collett, Swindon Council's passenger transport officer, insists that the situation is under constant review.

He said: "It has been brought to our attention that there are concerns about some illegal taxis working in the town centre.

"The council's enforcement officer has spent evenings observing the Regent Circus area and has compiled a list of those vehicles suspected of operating illegally. This has been passed on to the police."

Police inspector Bob Walton assured Mr Johnson that any evidence would be looked at carefully.

He said: "We will give him a fair hearing. We work closely in conjunction with Swindon Council to carry out operations targeting drivers who ply trade illegally.

This could result in heavy fines for those drivers."

Phil Wirth, Swindon Council's borough solicitor said that offenders could expect a fine of up to £1,000.

But one top of that, other offences could apply, including unlawfully picking up a fare.