FOUR drivers reported after SIXTY taxis and PHVs pulled over during Macclesfield licensing crackdown
- Perry Richardson
- Apr 30
- 2 min read
Updated: May 1

A joint operation by Macclesfield Police and the Roads and Crime Unit has led to over 60 taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs) being stopped in Macclesfield and Poynton over two nights, with a significant number found breaching traffic laws and licensing conditions.
The targeted inspections focused on both locally licensed taxis and those PHVs from outside council areas operating within Cheshire East. Officers issued 25 Traffic Offence Reports for a range of issues, including illegal tyre tread depth, careless driving, misuse of hazard lights and lighting faults. One driver was also found not wearing a seatbelt, and another was using a pedestrian zone as a shortcut.
In addition to traffic offences, four taxis were reported to their respective licensing authorities for breaches such as failing to correctly display their taxi plates.
Macclesfield Police confirmed that the enforcement activity forms part of an ongoing operation known as Operation Withdraw. Officers say further checks will be carried out to ensure public safety across the local taxi network.
A Macclesfield Police spokesperson said: “Following on from the success of Operation Withdraw last night, Officers from Macclesfield Beat Management worked alongside Officers from the Roads and Crime Unit in Macclesfield Town Centre again this evening conducting inspections of both locally licensed taxis and those licensed in other council areas that operate in Cheshire East.
“Over the course of both nights, over 60 Taxi's have been stopped in Macclesfield and Poynton.
“25 of these Taxi's were issued with Traffic Offence Reports for a variety of offences including having tyres below the legal tread depth, driving without Due Care and Attention, Using the Pedestrianised Zone as a cut through, Misuse of hazard lights, Failing to maintain Obligatory Lights, a Driver Not Wearing a Seatbelt and Rear Registration Mark Light Not Lit During Darkness.
“Four taxi's have been reported to the Local Authority for Licensing Offences including Failing to Display Taxi Plates Correctly.
“These checks will continue as we work to ensure the safety of those using Taxi's in the Macclesfield area.”
