A coordinated enforcement operation in Warrington town centre has led to the suspension of one taxi driver and pending suspensions for two others, as police and council officials crack down on licensing breaches.
The multi-agency initiative took place on the evening of Saturday, 7 June, with officers from Cheshire and Merseyside Police teaming up with licensing teams from both Warrington and Wolverhampton councils. The aim was to tackle taxi and private hire vehicle offences, particularly those involving drivers licensed in areas where they do not reside.
Concerns have grown in recent months over the widespread practice of drivers securing private hire licences from Wolverhampton Council despite living outside the area. In 2024 alone, an estimated 96 per cent of Wolverhampton’s taxi licences were issued to non-residents.
A Cheshire Police spokesperson confirmed the scale and scope of the operation:
“Officers on the Warrington town centre beat were deployed on a taxi licensing operation on Saturday evening. They were assisted by colleagues from the wider Warrington beat team, as well as special constables from both Cheshire and Merseyside. Officers were stationed across various locations around the town centre, with enforcement support from both Warrington and Wolverhampton council licensing teams.”
During the operation, 27 vehicles were stopped and drivers were checked for compliance. A number of licensing and motoring offences were identified. As a result, one driver was immediately suspended, while two others face delayed suspensions pending further investigation.
Cheshire and Merseyside police also addressed several motoring offences during the evening’s enforcement activity.
This latest clampdown highlights ongoing efforts to enforce local taxi licensing standards and ensure public safety amid mounting concerns over cross-border licensing.
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