More than 100 taxis were randomly spot checked in a recent multi-agency operation near East Midlands Airport.

North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC), Leicestershire Police and other local authorities stopped 106 taxis and private hire vehicles near East Midlands Airport to ensure the safety of drivers and passengers.

During the operation taxis were stopped by police officers and examined, while licensing officers interviewed the drivers.

The checks included ensuring all vehicles were roadworthy and checking that necessary signage, documentation and equipment such as first aid kits and fire extinguishers were carried.

Of the 106 vehicles stopped during the operation, two had their taxi plates removed by licensing teams because of tyre defects. One of the drivers was able to resolve the issues on site and the plate was returned.

The joint operation saw 13 Midlands authorities join NWLDC, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the police to inspect some of the hundreds of taxis that travel through the district each day.

Throughout the year licensing teams carry out roadside spot checks to make sure that standards are being kept to, as well as to identify and take action against unlicensed drivers and vehicles working illegally.

Councillor Michael Wyatt, Portfolio Holder for Community Services at NWLDC, said:

“Joint operations are an important part of our work to keep the public, and taxi drivers, safe. Thank you to everyone who joined us, and to East Midlands Airport for providing a site for the inspections to take place.

“We take the safety of anyone using a taxi or private hire vehicle in and around the district extremely seriously. It’s reassuring to see the majority of drivers and taxis observing safety rules, but we will continue to monitor standards and plan more operations in the future.”