Ban for private hire driver prosecuted for illegally plying for trade

Shropshire Council’s public protection team has welcomed the successful prosecution of a private hire driver who was found to be illegally plying for hire.

Adeel Qayyum, of Clay Lane, Birmingham was sentenced at Shrewsbury Magistrates’ Court on 6 August 2015 after he was caught in the early hours of 16 November 2014, illegally collecting members of the public on Howard Street, Shrewsbury, who had not booked through a licensed operator – an activity known as plying for hire.

He was found guilty of plying for hire and consequently having invalid motor insurance for the journey undertaken. He was ordered by the Court to pay a total of £820 and has been disqualified from driving for 3 months.

Karen Collier, Shropshire Councils’ operations manager for health and community protection said:

“We welcome the outcome of this case. Shropshire Council takes these incidents extremely seriously and we will continue to identify and investigate any driver found to be operating illegally. Our advice to the trade is clear – private hire vehicles are not permitted to ‘ply for hire’ and where we identify such cases we will investigate them fully.

“Not only is this activity illegal it will invalidate a drivers insurance putting customers at risk. In addition, any private hire driver found plying for hire will not only face the prospect of legal action in the courts but will be reported to the Councils licensing panel with the realistic prospect of losing their license to operate a private hire vehicle.”

Mal Price, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for regulatory services, said:

“We will continue to crack down on unsafe taxi and private hire vehicles and we encourage members of the public to report any illegal activity to us. Any information received from the public will be followed up but ultimately such information helps us to identify and determine our enforcement activities and priorities.

“The public protection officers work closely with the police when undertaking evening patrols and from time to time this can include undertaking covert ‘plying for hire’ operations using plain clothed officers. These checks are undertaken across the whole of the county with the aim of stamping out illegal activity and improving public safety.”

Shropshire Council encourages individuals to contact its public protection service on 0345 678 9000 if they have any suspicions of any illegal activity or concerns with private hire vehicles or taxis. Information can be given anonymously and will always be treated in line with the council’s information governance policies.