An "irresponsible" High Wycombe taxi operator has had his licence revoked after the district council raised concerns about public safety. 

Private hire firm Royal Cars – also known as Crown Cars, Wycombe Express and Elite Cars* - can no longer operate in the Wycombe district. 

The operator licence was issued to Mohammed Yasin of Rutland Avenue, High Wycombe.

He initially had his private hire vehicle operator licence revoked by the council in June 2017 following breaches of licence conditions and other issues concerning public safety.  

It then led to Wycombe District Council (WDC) determining that he was no longer a “fit and proper person” to hold an operator licence.

The revoked licence allowed the former operator to use trading names including Royal Cars, Royal Taxis, Royal Executive Transport Transfers, Crown Cars, Crown Taxis, Crown Airport Taxis, Crown Airport Travel, Crown Executive Cars, Royal Crown Cars, Wycombe Express, Excel Cars.

Mr Yasin appealed against the loss of his licence, which allowed him to continue his business until the conclusion of the appeal. 

At a hearing at Aylesbury Crown Court on Tuesday, February 20, the appeal was dismissed by Judge Tulk and two magistrates after he failed to show up at the hearing and had provided no grounds in support of his appeal. 

The council has been awarded their full legal costs to the sum of £17,155.94. 

Cllr John Savage, chairman of the council’s regulatory and appeals committee, said: “The decision to revoke the licence was not taken lightly, but was made with the ultimate aim of protecting the public from the actions of an irresponsible operator.

"Royal Cars – and other trading names – has shown a blatant disregard for public safety in the way that it has been operating and we are delighted that the court has recognised all the hard work and overwhelming evidence provided to support the council’s decision to revoke this licence.

"The result is that Royal Cars can no longer legally operate under any of its trading names in this district.”

In order to carry out a booking, the vehicle, driver and operator licences must all be issued by the same authority.

If they operate in the Wycombe district without a licence, it is a criminal offence and could possibly invalidate the vehicle insurance.

*Not to be confused with Elite Taxis in Holmer Green which is still trading.