A number of taxis used by holidaymakers using East Midlands Airport were found to have faults following spot checks.

North West Leicestershire District Council's licensing team joined forces with Leicestershire Police and the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency to organise spot checks, with the vast majority of drivers passing with flying covers. But some licensed vehicles did not meet the required standards.

Four prohibitions notices were issued to taxi drivers who cars failed the inspections for having defective tyres. Two drivers were reported for not having road tax, and another was given a fixed penalty notice for having a tyre tread below the legal limit.

Others were also warned about minor defects such as broken bulbs. A total of 120 vehicles were inspected on Thursday, September 7, where no faults were found.

During the initiative, a vehicle which was not a taxi, was also flagged up on automatic number plate recognition technology.

120 cars passed with flying colours

This vehicle was found to be being driven with no road tax, no insurance, no MoT, and had various defects including tyres tread that were below legal limits. The driver also did not have a DVLA licence. The car was seized and the driver was reported for the offences.

Councillor Alison Smith, deputy leader and portfolio holder for community services at North West Leicestershire District Council, said: "This initiative highlights that the majority of taxi drivers in the district take care of their vehicles and ensure they meet high standards when it comes to safety.

"However, there are exceptions to this and it is very important to us and our partners that we identify those that don’t comply with the law and licensing requirements.

"Public safety is our absolute priority and we hope this operation has helped spread this message among drivers of licensed vehicles."

The checks were carried out by North West Leicestershire District Council’s licensing team, Leicestershire Police and the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)

Inspector Ivan Odell from Leicestershire Police said: "Once again this was a highly successful operation and demonstrates the value of partner agencies working collaboratively and effectively to improve the safety of the travelling public.

"The vast majority of taxis and licensed vehicles were being operated safely and legally but this operation will be repeated and should serve as warning to those who choose continue to operate outside the law.

Bill Harrison, Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency enforcement delivery manager, said: "Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency ’s first priority is to protect you from unsafe drivers and vehicles.

"Our frontline staff worked alongside their police and local authority colleagues, and used their powers to take some of these dangerous vehicles and drivers off of the road.

"The vast majority of taxis checked were safe, with properly licensed drivers, which was pleasing to see."