BURY police and local authority officers identified 51 offences when they stopped and checked 93 taxis.

The offences vaied from vehicle defects to a drink-driving offence in both public and private hire vehicles during the three month operation code-named Spartacus.

Officials also checked the records of five private hire operators as part of the public safety drive.

The operation was in response to concerns over the safety of the public using taxis.

The operation took place over a three month period, concluding in April, and this week officers released their findings.

The majority of the offences - vehicle defects - were dealt with by fixed penalty notices or verbally.

Three drivers had their operation plates removed, five were served with prohibition notices, and one arrest was made for drink driving.

The police have also passed on the information collated to the DHSS fraud department for further inquiries to be conducted if necessary.

Chief Inspector David Morris said: "I am delighted with the success of the joint operation between the police and the local authority agencies.

"We have a duty to the public to ensure the vehicles are road worthy - public safety is paramount."

"We are not singling out taxi drivers because they are seen as an easy target - we work with the local authority to check heavy goods vehicle and traffic officers are always out on the roads checking other vehicles.

"The success of the operation means it may be repeated in the coming months. Our prime concern is public safety and we will continue to ensure all public and private hire vehicles meet the legal requirements."

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