One in five taxis stopped in Sandwell are unfit for the road

More than 50 out of 250 vehicles stopped across Sandwell in the last nine operations were picked up for issues.

Problems ranging from unlicensed or disqualified drivers, defective tyres and lights and suspension were all uncovered by Sandwell Council.

The work from the authority's taxi licensing enforcement team has also seen a car seized by police and destroyed for having no insurance and four defective tyres.

Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for public health and protection Councillor Elaine Costigan said: “The taxi licensing enforcement team does a fantastic job making sure anyone getting into a taxi or private hire vehicle in Sandwell is safe.

"The operations they do with the police and the DVSA make sure that not only the drivers themselves are licensed and working legally, but that their vehicles are up to standard and roadworthy.

“Their work also benefits the vast majority of taxi drivers who operate within the law who can be undercut by fake taxis without any insurance, which has become more prevalent on social media.

“The team’s work is all about making sure people travelling around Sandwell are safe and their achievements over the past year have had a real impact on that.

“A lot of work is being done at the moment private hire operators in Sandwell who hold licences in neighbouring boroughs to see if they are breaching any current legislation.”

Unlicensed Sandwell private hire drivers caught advertising on social media have been prosecuted over the last year, while eight licensed drivers were found to have made fraudulent applications to obtain their licenses.

Drivers were forced to fork out fines and costs, and were given community orders and unpaid work orders, with some also having their licenses revoked.

Although the vast majority of drivers stopped pass all checks, the team’s work identifies taxis operating illegally and putting passengers at risk.

The enforcement team carries out to make sure drivers know the law around carrying guide dogs, with several cases of drivers refusing to do so currently being investigated.

They're also responsible for delivering anti-Child Sexual Exploitation training to aid drivers in recognising the signs of young passengers who are at risk.

Sandwell has around 40 private hire companies with almost 2,000 drivers operating across the borough.