AN ENFORCEMENT exercise to clamp down on private hire drivers who ply for hire in being considered by Bury's licensing and registration sub-committee. If the move goes ahead licensing officers could join forces with trading standards officers to undertake the exercise which would be spread over several nights. A similar operation was carried out by the Hackney Carriage Association more than three years ago when, following Court hearings, many private hire drivers had to appear before the licensing and registration sub-committee.

In a report to members the Council's solicitor Steve Monaghan stressed that private hire drivers negate their insurance when they ply for hire.

He says: "Plying for hire is an extremely serious offence due to the implications for passengers regarding insurance.

"The number of licensed drivers who are suspected of committing this offence has increased during the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

"The first three months of any year are always quiet in the trade and there is concern that because operators cannot give bookings to all their drivers the practice of plying for hire may increase."

Without recommending any course of action Mr Monaghan in his report says the practice is most common at nights when the pubs and clubs are closing.

This has led to complaints from the Hackney Carriage Association which, he says, "feels that the problem is not being addressed to their satisfaction."

If a swoop gets the go-ahead licensing officers are likely to be present, but private hire vehicles will be targeted by 'passengers' that drivers don't know.

Officers will later visit operators' offices to check bookings records - including any claims that their journeys were booked.

Mr Monaghan finally warned last night's meeting: "If such an operation were to take place there would be considerable complaints from the private hire trade and no doubt allegations would be made that Officers were acting as agent provocateurs."

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