FENLAND Council is putting the squeeze on the growing number of unlicensed and illegal taxis in Fenland by mounting a public awareness campaign designed to drive them out of business. The council is urging the public not to be lured by the promise of chea

FENLAND Council is putting the squeeze on the growing number of unlicensed and illegal taxis in Fenland by mounting a public awareness campaign designed to drive them out of business.

The council is urging the public not to be lured by the promise of cheaper fares from unlicensed drivers in unlicensed vehicles. Some members of the public have already lived to regret their decision to travel with rogue operators.

Some passengers have been caught up in violent 'turf wars' between rival gangs of drivers and some have been involved in accidents as a result.

The council campaign is designed to remind the public that unlicensed vehicles and drivers are unlawful and dangerous. Their vehicles will not have been examined by the council for roadworthiness and the drivers will not have undergone a criminal record check.

It is also unlikely drivers of such vehicles will have insurance to carry

Travelling in unlicensed mini-cabs will probably mean that there is no come-back from insurance companies in the event of injury.

The growing number of unlicensed mini-cab drivers is also damaging the legitimate livelihood of licensed hackney carriage operators and private hire vehicle operators.

Members of the public can easily check if a driver is licensed. All licensed vehicles display a licence plate and all licensed drivers wear an identity badge, issued by Fenland District Council.

Councillor Kit Owen, portfolio holder with responsibility for licensing, said: "We are very concerned about the rising number of unlawful rogue mini-cab operators across Fenland and we are determined to stamp them out because they are potentially a danger to local people and are seriously affecting the incomes of licensed operators. We are mounting a public information campaign aimed at highlighting the dangers these rogue operators present and I would urge anyone tempted to get into such vehicles to think again and use legitimate operators.