Stoke-on-Trent Council and police investigate spate of ATTACKS on taxis and private hire vehicles
- Perry Richardson
- May 1
- 2 min read
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has confirmed it is working with police following reports of deliberate damage to licensed taxi and private hire vehicles across the city.
In a public statement issued alongside Councillor Duncan Walker, the council said it had been “alerted to a series of concerning incidents” involving licensed vehicles, including reports of taxis and private hire cars being smashed.
The authority said its licensing team is now reviewing what further measures could be introduced to help protect drivers operating in the city. No details have yet been released on how many incidents have been reported or whether any arrests have been made.
The statement comes amid growing concerns within parts of the taxi and private hire sector around driver safety, particularly during late-night operating hours and in busy town and city centre locations. Vehicle damage can leave drivers unable to work, while also increasing insurance and repair costs for operators.
Local authority says licensing team reviewing extra measures after reports of licensed vehicles being deliberately damaged
Councillor Duncan Walker, cabinet member for safer and resilient communities, described the incidents as “completely unacceptable” and said the council was working closely with Staffordshire Police to identify those responsible.
The council urged members of the public to report incidents directly to police, advising people to use 999 in life-threatening emergencies, serious injury cases, or where a crime is ongoing.
Licensing authorities across England have increasingly been examining driver welfare and safety measures in recent years, including CCTV policies, incident reporting systems and closer partnership working with police forces. However, Stoke-on-Trent City Council has not yet outlined what additional protections could be considered locally.
Taxi and private hire drivers often operate alone for long periods and can face risks linked to anti-social behaviour, assaults and criminal damage, particularly during overnight shifts and weekend peak periods.
