CAUGHT WITH CASH: Fake “friend” fare ends with private hire driver arrested for plying-for-hire after £30 sting
- Perry Richardson
- 28 minutes ago
- 2 min read
A private hire vehicle driver has been arrested in Bristol after being caught illegally plying-for-hire during an early-morning police operation, according to Avon and Somerset Police.
PC Patrick Quinton, the force’s designated taxi and private hire officer, said the incident took place in the early hours of Sunday while officers were monitoring activity in the Stokes Croft area. The driver claimed he was giving a friend a lift from Stokes Croft to Bristol Temple Meads and denied receiving payment.
Police said that account was contradicted by the passenger, who was an off-duty police officer. The officer confirmed the journey had not been pre-booked, that he did not know the driver, and that £30 had been paid for the trip.
PC Quinton said the driver was arrested on suspicion of plying for hire and driving without valid insurance. Officers subsequently searched the driver and recovered the £30 payment, which police say supported the allegation of illegal hire.
Avon and Somerset Police say the case highlights continued enforcement against unbooked private hire work.
Under UK licensing rules, private hire vehicles must only carry passengers who have pre-booked through a licensed operator. Accepting street hires without a booking is a criminal offence and typically invalidates insurance cover, exposing drivers to further charges.
Police confirmed that the driver will appear before the court, and that the relevant local authority licensing team has been informed of the incident. Licensing action, including potential suspension or revocation, may follow separately from the criminal case.
Avon and Somerset Police said targeted taxi and PHV enforcement remains a priority, particularly in city centre locations during night-time economy hours, where unlicensed and uninsured activity presents safety and consumer risks.
PC Patrick Quinton, Taxi Cop for Avon and Somerset Police, said: “In the early hours of Sunday morning I found this PHV illegally plying for hire. The driver told me he was taking his "friend" from Stokes Croft to Temple Meads, and denied charging any money.
“Unfortunately for that driver, the passenger was a police officer who was able to confirm the journey was not booked, he did not know the driver and had paid £30 for the journey. I arrested the driver on suspicion of plying-for-hire and no insurance so I could search him and found the £30.
“The driver will be going to Court, Council informed and I'll let you know the results when I have them.”
