Hartlepool MP Mike Hill has welcomed a decision by Hartlepool licensing chiefs to look at taxi laws to help keep convicted drivers off the roads.

The Mail reported last week how councillors hope to address loopholes which currently allow drivers convicted of crimes and have had their licences revoked to continue working by getting one from a neighbouring licensing authority or to drive larger minibuses instead.

Concerns were raised on the issue at the last meeting of Hartlepool Borough Council’s licensing committee.

Councillor Rob Cook, who represents De Bruce ward, quoted a recent article by the Local Government Association (LGA) which stated it will continue to campaign for more rigorous laws after an attempt to change the law in Parliament failed.

Despite the failure, a database of drivers who have been banned, refused or had a licence suspended is due to come into effect.

But a failed Private Members’ Bill would have boosted enforcement powers of local authorities.

Now, town MP Mike Hill has given his backing to councillors looking to address the issue.

He said: “The council are absolutely right to expose this loophole and seek to tighten up on local taxi licensing regulations.

“Long established local taxi companies in Hartlepool have worked hard to maintain good reputations and always aim to recruit the right people, but you can never be sure and especially in light of the John Worboys case it’s wise to be vigilant.

“There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that there should be a red flag system introduced via a national database to alert potential employers and licensing authorities that an applicant has a conviction or ban.

“That way we are not only protecting the public, but also legitimate licenced taxi companies themselves.

“The fact also that a loophole in the law allows for drivers with convictions to drive minibuses as public hire vehicles needs to be addressed and I will be doing my very best to support any measures to rectify this.”

http://bit.ly/2v2TTnc 

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 NEW YORK

 An illegal taxi driver has been arrested for trying to kidnap a woman after allegedly hustling her into his car at JFK then locking the doors when she tried to leave.

Livery driver Daniel Todaro, 61, was arrested after approaching the woman at 1am on Friday and offering her a ride.

He was already banned from the New York City airport but had returned to pose as a legitimate taxi driver.

After leading the woman to his car, the pair got into an argument once inside.

The woman was heard screaming by police who approached the vehicle after Todaro allegedly locked the doors.

He tried to flee but was caught.

He was charged with unlawful imprisonment, criminal trespass and unlawful solicitation.

He was released without bond on Sunday.

https://dailym.ai/2qj7aCz 

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  A main Huddersfield road was shut after a man was knocked unconscious in a road accident.

The pedestrian in his mid 30s was injured when he was struck by a taxi close to a pedestrian crossing in Salendine Nook early today.

The accident happened just before 4am on New Hey Road near to Salendine Nook High School and involved a grey-coloured VW Jetta taxi.

The car is operated by Woods Taxis which is based at the nearby Salendine Nook Shopping Centre

West Yorkshire Police Duty Inspector Carlton Young said that in the immediate aftermath several drivers blocked the road off to protect the injured man.

New Hey Road was shut from its junction with Crosland Road towards the M62 roundabout while police accident investigators worked at the scene.

Traffic was diverted on to Lindley Moor Road.

A 37-year-old man who lives on New Road said: “I heard anti-lock brakes kicking in and then a thud. I rang the police and a guy in an Audi TT was trying to help the injured man. His head banged on the windscreen and he was out cold for 20 minutes. There was some blood but not that much. I think the taxi driver decelerated at the last minute.”

http://bit.ly/2HliG8K