NOT JUST ENFORCEMENT: Police taxi officer reveals huge range of cases as drivers seek help over Uber, licensing and legal disputes

An Avon and Somerset Police officer specialising in taxi and private hire matters has revealed the extent of work taking place behind the scenes to support licensed drivers, alongside more visible enforcement activity.

PC Patrick Quinton said he aims to divide his role roughly 70% towards enforcement and 30% towards supporting drivers. However, he said recent demands involving alleged crimes and licensing issues have resulted in considerably more time being spent on enforcement.

PC Quinton, who regularly works with drivers and licensing authorities in the Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire Council areas, said support work can often involve individual cases which cannot be discussed publicly because of personal or identifying information.

Among cases dealt with during August, Quinton said he had helped a driver challenge a speeding ticket and worked with a council to support another driver dealing with a medical issue.

He also reviewed a case involving a driver being removed from an operator’s platform, provided advice to a driver due to appear before a licensing committee and helped another obtain insurance details following a road traffic collision.

Other work included liaising with a council over concerns that a private hire operator was not paying drivers, answering legal queries and advising a driver working outside their licensing area on how to respond to local concerns.

Quinton also provided guidance on a council policy issue to assist a driver facing a court hearing. The cases show the range of regulatory and legal problems that can arise for working taxi and PHV drivers beyond routine roadside enforcement.

In a further update, Quinton said he had dealt with an insurance-related legal question, an Uber deactivation case and concerns following a police stop involving a private hire vehicle during a 24-hour period.

For South Gloucestershire licensed drivers, Quinton and the council’s Licensing Manager were also making themselves available through a Police and Licensing Surgery, giving drivers an opportunity to raise issues, questions and concerns directly.

Thid more positive work is notable at a time when relations between licensing authorities, police and the trade can often be dominated by compliance and enforcement. Driver licensing decisions can directly affect a person’s ability to work, while operator deactivations and insurance or payment disputes can have an immediate impact on earnings.

Quinton said: “I often share updates about enforcement work, but I don’t talk as much about the support side of my role. I aim for around 70% enforcement and 30% support, but recently it’s been much more enforcement because of the amount of crimes and licence issues coming in.”

He added that the Traffic & Events Channel was one method used to support drivers, while other assistance was provided away from public view.

Quinton said: “Sometimes I can’t share details because they’re personal or could identify someone involved.”