‘No serious issues found’ for taxi licensees during police checks in Huddersfield
- Perry Richardson
- 9 hours ago
- 2 min read
Police in Huddersfield seized vehicles, prosecuted drivers and carried out checks on taxis as part of a wider road safety initiative in the town centre.
The operation, which formed part of the Safer Streets programme, took place earlier this week in the Market Place and near the ring road. Officers from the Huddersfield Town Centre Proactive Team worked alongside Kirklees Council taxi licensing staff and the Vehicle Defect Rectification Scheme.
One uninsured car was seized and 12 prosecutions were launched against drivers for offences including speeding, unsafe tyres, no tax and failing to wear a seatbelt. A further motorist was reported to court for additional offences.
Taxi licensing officers inspected 30 taxis during the operation. Only a handful were found with minor issues that required attention, with no major safety concerns identified.
The Safer Streets initiative, backed by the Home Office, continues across West Yorkshire. It brings together local councils, transport bodies, businesses and community groups to reduce crime and improve day-to-day safety for residents.
PC James Hemsley of the Huddersfield Pro Active Town Centre Team, said: “Road safety remains a continuing concern for residents and businesses and I want to thank partners for their support to us in conducting this wide ranging operation.
“A number of drivers were dealt with for offending, but it was reassuring to see that no serious issues were found with the 30 taxis checked by colleagues from Kirklees taxi licensing.
“We also included a bike marking stand into the operation to provide some extra reassurance for cyclists, and were pleased to see an enthusiastic response from those who stopped to chat.
“Engagement from the public is key to what we do and I want to thank all those who took the time to speak with us.”
Inspector Mark Pattinson of Kirklees Police, said: “This has been the latest operation in Huddersfield as part of Safer Streets this summer, in order to reassure residents and deter criminality by boosting our visible police presence in communities.
“We hope residents are feeling more reassured by seeing officers conduct this series of high visibility operations, and we continue to urge residents to contact us with reports of criminal activity.
“One of the town centre team’s key roles is to disrupt those who engage in day to day criminality in Huddersfield such as shop lifting, street drinking and ASB, and we need to hear from residents to make sure the team are patrolling in the right places at the right times.
“Please do not hesitate to contact us via 101 or www.westyorkshire.police.uk/livechat with any information which can help us make streets safer.“
