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Two licensed vehicles suspended over ‘ghost plates’ as police and council officers inspect 108 taxis and PHVs at Bristol Airport
Two licensed vehicles were immediately suspended from service after being found with ‘ghost plates’ during a major taxi and private hire enforcement operation at Bristol Airport.
Officers inspected 108 vehicles licensed by 13 different councils during the joint operation on Friday 30 October, which brought together Avon and Somerset Police and licensing officers from Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Newport and Wolverhampton councils.
PC Patrick Quinton, of Avon and Somerset Police, confirmed that two vehicles were discovered with ghost plates, resulting in their immediate suspension and the removal of their licence plates.
Ghost plates are number plates designed to interfere with automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras, potentially preventing vehicles from being correctly identified by enforcement systems.
The operation also uncovered a locally licensed private hire vehicle being operated as a shuttle service by a driver who did not hold the required licence.
Officers subsequently discovered that the replacement vehicle sent to collect the affected passengers was itself unlicensed, although it was being driven by a licensed private hire driver.
North Somerset Council is taking the lead in dealing with the licensing issues surrounding the shuttle operation.
The joint operation involved vehicles registered with licensing authorities across the country, reflecting the number of operators working at major airports outside the areas where their licences were issued.
Cross-border private hire operations are permitted under existing legislation where the required licensing arrangements are met. However, drivers, vehicles and operators must comply with the relevant legal requirements.
Beyond the more serious findings, officers reported relatively few compliance problems among the vehicles inspected.
Most other issues identified concerned minor failures involving the display of vehicle licence plates and driver badges.
Officers also carried out 24 eyesight tests on drivers during the operation, with every driver passing.
PC Quinton said: “We checked 108 vehicles from 13 different Councils.”
He added: “We found one locally licensed PHV being used as a shuttle service being driven by an unlicensed driver. Disappointing, the replacement vehicle which turned up to take the passengers instead was an unlicensed vehicle driven by a licensed PHD. North Somerset Council are taking the lead on dealing with that issue.”
On the discovery of the number plates, Quinton said: “Two vehicles were found with ghost plates, so both were immediately suspended from service and plates removed.”
He confirmed that no other major problems were identified during the checks.
Quinton also thanked drivers for their cooperation throughout the operation, saying: “Thanks for your waves and thumbs up today, and I’m especially grateful for your patience and cooperation whilst we do these necessary checks.”
