Standards dropping? Police shocked at the state of Knowsley private hire plate hanging by a wire

Image credit: Twitter-@MerPolTraffic

Merseyside Police were left shocked after discovering a private hire driver licensed with Knowsley Council had attached their private hire vehicle plate by hanging it with wire.

Officers were amazed to see the plate hanging from the rear bumper, barely attached to the vehicle, and took to social media to highlight what they had seen.

In a tweet posted by Merseyside Police Traffic Roads Policing Unit, a spokesperson said: "Not how to display your private hire plate. I'm amazed they didn't lose it already."

All private hire licensed vehicles must have an identification plate, or sticker, securely affixed, and clearly visibly placed, according to its relevant licensing authority. In this case, a private hire vehicle licence plate, not too dissimilar to a vehicle number plate, must be securely attached to the rear of the vehicle, with no risk of falling off.

A private hire, or taxi vehicle licence plate, allows for easier identification, tracking and monitoring. In London, a window sticker, known as a roundel, is used for licensed private hire vehicles; one to be placed in the windscreen, with the other being positioned in the rear window.