A taxi enforcement operation in Brownhills has led to several vehicles being taken off the road after safety concerns were uncovered.
The checks were carried out on Friday 28 March by Walsall Council’s Licensing Services, working alongside West Midlands Police, Community Protection Officers and specialist vehicle examiners.
In total, 12 licensed vehicles were stopped and inspected during the operation. Half of those were found to have issues serious enough to result in immediate suspension. Three of the vehicles were also issued with prohibition notices, meaning they cannot be driven until the faults are fully repaired.
Inspectors identified a range of problems, with tyre safety among the most common concerns. Defects included worn tyres, visible damage and, in some cases, exposed threads.
Vehicles that are suspended must be removed from service straight away and cannot return to licensed work until repairs have been completed and approved. Prohibition notices go a step further, making it illegal for the vehicle to be driven at all until it meets safety standards.
A spokesperson for Walsall Council said, “We will continue to work closely with the trade to reinforce expectations and responsibilities, and further operations are planned to ensure standards are consistently met.”
The council says joint enforcement activity like this plays an important role in keeping passengers safe, supporting responsible drivers and maintaining trust in local taxi services.
Further checks are expected to take place across the borough in the coming months as part of ongoing efforts to improve safety standards.