MORE than one in four taxis was found to be unsafe in police spot checks.

Officers stopped 40 taxis in Colne over the weekend and 12 were given prohibition notices, forcing taxi owners to take them off the road.

Six vehicles were withdrawn immediately for having bald tyres and another six were allowed to be driven home after being found with minor defects.

Eleven taxi drivers also had their licences temporarily suspended by Pendle Council.

The operation was carried out with Pennine Road Policing Unit, Pendle Borough Council and the Vehicle and Operation Service Agency (VOSA). Both hackney carriages and private hire vehicles were targeted.

Minor defects uncovered by police included taxis not having first aid kits and drivers not wearing their identification badges.

Sergeant Martin Bishop said: "We are very pleased with the success of this partnership operation, however, it has clearly identified that a number of taxi drivers and operators are putting the public safety at risk.

"One expects compliance with the basic standards.

"We are very disappointed with what we found. Further activity will be taking place to ensure such standards are met".

Mohammad Akram, chairman of Pendle Taxi Association said: "I don't think that taxis in Pendle are any worse than any others in the UK.

"They will never all be put right.

"But it is also likely that about nine out of ten civilian cars would probably fail their MOT first time "It is down to individual companies to make sure that the vehicles are fit for the roads.

"The taxi association are doing our best to ensure all the taxis are up to standard.

"We hold regular meetings where we advise taxi companies on legal requirements and give advice.

"We also work closely with the police and the council to make sure taxis are meeting requirements."

A spokesperson for Pendle Council, who are carrying out three spot checks a year, said: "Like the police, the council officers were very disappointed with the results, but they were proof that these checks are necessary.

"They are hoping the results will be better when the next checks are carried out."