The council launched a joint enforcement initiative with Lancashire Police as part of National Licensing Week, aimed at maintaining high standards across the borough’s licensed taxi trade.
Recently, Operation Abacus saw council licensing officers working in partnership with Lancashire Police, including support from Lancashire Constabulary Specials, to carry out targeted checks on licensed vehicles.
Officers set up checkpoints across the borough to inspect vehicles and ensure they were meeting strict licensing conditions and being maintained to a safe and suitable standard.
A total of 30 vehicles, licensed by a range of authorities, were inspected during the operation. Of these, three vehicles were issued with defect notices for minor issues, such as faulty lights. Drivers issued with defect notices are required to rectify the faults and present their vehicles for reinspection.
Importantly, no vehicles were found to have faults serious enough to require immediate suspension, and the vast majority were found to be safe, suitable, and compliant.
During the operation, further action was taken in a small number of cases. One driver from another authority is being investigated after being suspected of driving without the appropriate licence and insurance. Another driver was found not to be in possession of their badge and was instructed to return home to collect it and present it to officers, which they did.
Police officers supporting the operation also dealt with separate incidents, including seizing a vehicle under Section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002 for anti-social driving at one of the checkpoints, and arresting another person on suspicion of drink driving.
Cabinet Member for Planning and Development which includes Licensing, Councillor Alex Hilton, said: “Operations like this demonstrate the importance of strong partnership working in keeping our residents safe and maintaining high standards across our licensed trade.
“We are committed to ensuring that everyone travelling in Chorley can do so with confidence, and that means taking proactive action where needed while also supporting the many compliant drivers who do an excellent job day in, day out.
“The council will continue to work closely with partners to carry out proactive enforcement activity and support compliant drivers who play a vital role in keeping the borough moving safely.”
Roads Policing Sergeant, Ben Elliott, said: "As part of Nightsafe, we carry out operations like this all year round to ensure that people are kept safe, that taxis are properly licensed, roadworthy and driven by people who meet the standards expected of them.”
This joint operation highlights the importance of partnership working in keeping communities safe and ensuring high standards are maintained across the licensed trade in Chorley.
The council continue to work closely with partners to carry out proactive enforcement activity and support compliant drivers who play a vital role in keeping the borough moving safely.