More than 30 taxis were stopped and checked for defects in a joint crackdown between the police and Wycombe District Council last week.

Thames Valley Police and the council’s licensing team carried out a series of checks on taxis and private hire vehicles that operate across the district overnight on February 17.

From 9pm until 3.30am, a total of 36 vehicles in High Wycombe and Marlow were stopped and checked for defects to make sure they were complying with road safety regulations and council standards.

Checks were also carried out to ensure drivers held the correct insurance and licensing documentation.

During the operation, eight fixed penalty notices were handed out by officers for a number of offences including unsafe tyres and not wearing a seatbelt.

PC Alistair Bennett based at High Wycombe police station said: “The operation provided a great opportunity for us to engage with taxi drivers to discuss licensing requirements and ensure that their vehicles were safe and up to standard. Prompt action was taken where this was not the case.

“It also provided us with the chance to speak to them directly about their concerns which led to a number of non-taxi vehicles receiving fixed penalty notices for being parked in designated taxi ranks.

“TVP are committed to working with our partners and local businesses to help keep residents and visitors to Wycombe LPA safe from harm and we will be looking to complete a similar operation in the near future.”

Wycombe District Council’s cabinet member for environment, councillor Jean Teesdale, added: “This is an additional safety check carried out by the police and the council to ensure the vehicles people hire in our district are safe.”

If you have concerns about a taxi or private hire vehicle, contact WDC’s licensing unit at licensing@wycombe.gov.uk or 01494 421222.