Staylebridge

A man wanted by police for over a year was finally caught after he fled from a taxi so he didn't have to pay a £4 fare.

Officers had been dealing with an incident in Stalybridge when they were flagged down by a taxi driver on Saturday night.

The driver told police that three males had fled from his taxi and 'forgotten' to pay him.

Two officers managed to catch up with one member of the group and ran a check on their computer.
It later transpired that the male had been wanted for over a year for failing to attend his community service on numerous occasions.
A 28-year-old male has since been arrested for breaching his community order.


A post on the GMP Tameside Facebook page said: "Whilst officers were dealing with an incident in Stalybridge they were stopped by a taxi driver reporting three males had fled his taxi forgetting to pay him.
"Unfortunately for the males, they did it in front of the officers and ran into the estate at Booth Close. As they did they ran away laughing and continued to do so whilst officers were searching for them.
 
"Between the two officers, they managed to corner one of the group.
"Whilst one officer rang the taxi company asking the driver to meet them, the other checked the male out on the police national computer.

Tameside news
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 SWANSEA

A drunk police officer has been told he can keep his job after punching and kicking a taxi's windows when he refused to pay the fare.

Intoxicated PC Richard Olsen, 22, refused to cough up the money after getting a late night taxi from a night out in Swansea, where he had been drinking with Taibach Rugby Club.

A South Wales Police misconduct hearing was told that officers were called to the scene on May 5, after he verbally abused the driver, and that PC OIsen lied about paying the fare.

Sergeant Bryan Lewis, who represented him at the hearing, said the rugby player had struggled to make the transition from civilian to police life.

Drunk police officer Richard Olsen, 22, has been told he can keep his job after kicking and punching a taxi's window when he refused to pay the fare

During the hearing, the shamed police officer said his actions were the 'single biggest learning curve of his life' after admitting a breach of professional behaviour and gross misconduct.

'These are actions I don't condone and it's not the standard I accept of myself,' he said.

'My off-duty conduct now is that of which I expect it to be and is similar behaviour to as I am on duty, playing the role of a police officer 24/7.'

Sergeant Smith added that Mr Olsen had put his responsibilities 'out of his mind' during days off.

'As a former student and rugby player, (he) was used to recreational drinking,' said the Sergeant.

'He met peers from the rugby club and continued drinking excessively and this incident was culmination of escaping from responsibilities he undertook while on duty.'

The taxi driver said they did not wish to make a complaint, meaning no criminal investigation took place, but PC Olsen was still hauled before police chiefs for a misconduct hearing.

He was allowed to continue in his role but warned to prove this was a 'one-off incident'.

Deputy Chief Constable Richard Lewis told him: 'Listen carefully: this decision was a very close one and by no means clear cut.

'You have the chance to prove this was a one-off incident due to drunken behaviour and immature arrogance which has no place in South Wales Police.

'I expect hard work and vigour from you to demonstrate this decision is not a poor one on my part. Any similar behaviour will result in only one outcome.'

PC Olsen was issued with a final written warning which will remain on his police record.

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BARROW

TAXI drivers are up in arms over a potential increase to fares for passengers in Barrow.

Dozens of drivers gathered outside the town hall yesterday to protest against a proposed hike in fares.

They say an increase of around 16 per cent in fees for Hackney Carriage cars is due to be discussed by council licensing chiefs and would be harmful for Barrow's taxi industry and a negative for passengers.

Barrow council has insisted that any changes to taxi policy have only come following consultation with the trade.

A spokesman from the Furness Taxi Trade Association said: "Drivers are disappointed and upset with the licensing department at Barrow Town Hall constantly going against the wishes of the trade, even after agreements have been reached at so-called trade liaison meetings.

"The taxi trade recently reached an agreement with local taxi operators to increase fares to a more reasonable level.

"The trade then asked the town hall to postpone any further increases to the rank rate until at least a year had passed.

"This has been ignored by the licensing department.

"Our aim has been over the last few months is to create a level playing field, so that the public can be assured that if they phone hail or hire a taxi from a rank they will be paying about the same rate.

"If the council implement this unwanted rise then this becomes impossible."

There are thought to be more than 300 licensed taxi drivers in the Barrow borough area.

The council sent out a notice to drivers asking for their opinions on the proposals, with the seven who responded voting unanimously in favour of it.

But the taxi trade association said it had asked members not to respond to the consultation.

An email sent to taxi drivers by the council said: "A review of the fares has now taken place, based on the weightings which were put forward by the trade.

"We also intend to implement a maximum booking fee within the table of fares."

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