210 taxis and PHVs stopped as major police NightSafe crackdown sweeps across Lancashire streets

More than 200 taxis and private hire vehicles have been inspected during a series of large-scale NightSafe enforcement operations across Preston, Chorley and South Ribble, as police and licensing officers stepped up efforts to ensure passenger safety and tackle non-compliant drivers.

The coordinated operations took place over the last two weeks, with the latest checks carried out on Friday 12 June. Officers from Lancashire Constabulary’s Roads Policing Unit worked alongside licensing teams from seven local authorities to carry out targeted roadside inspections at key locations across the three Lancashire districts.

The enforcement activity brought together officers from Preston City Council, Chorley Council, South Ribble Borough Council, Wolverhampton Council, Sefton Council and Blackburn with Darwen Council, reflecting the increasingly cross-border nature of the taxi and private hire industry.

The checks formed part of Lancashire’s ongoing NightSafe campaign, a partnership initiative designed to support a safe and well-regulated night-time economy. The campaign focuses on protecting members of the public while ensuring licensed transport services meet the standards expected by regulators.

High-visibility checkpoints were established at strategic locations where officers stopped licensed vehicles for detailed inspections. Vehicles were examined for roadworthiness and compliance with licensing conditions, with checks covering tyres, brakes, lights, seatbelts and other safety-critical components.

A total of 210 licensed vehicles were inspected during the operations. Officers identified and dealt with a number of traffic offences, including vehicles found with illegal tyres and defective lighting systems.

The operation also resulted in two searches of passengers under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, which provides police with powers to search individuals suspected of possessing controlled substances.

The latest enforcement action comes amid a wider programme of taxi and private hire compliance checks being carried out across the UK during National Licensing Week and beyond. Licensing authorities and police forces have increasingly used joint operations to monitor vehicle standards, verify driver credentials and address concerns around out-of-area licensing.

Sergeant Ben Elliott from the Roads Policing Unit said: "Our priority is making sure everyone can enjoy a night out in Preston, Chorley and South Ribble safely and that includes getting home without putting themselves at risk.

“This operation is not just about enforcement, but also reassurance. By working closely with our partners, we are making sure that taxis are properly licensed, roadworthy and driven by people who meet the standards expected of them.

“We want the public to feel confident that the vehicle they step into at the end of the night is safe and legitimate. As part of NightSafe, we will continue to carry out targeted operations like this to protect the public and uphold standards across the night-time economy.”