A long-serving Bristol private hire driver lost his licence after accepting an undercover officer who knocked on his window in Stokes Croft.
Bristol Post reports the plain-clothes passenger asked for Temple Meads around 1am on 28 December; the driver agreed after cash was confirmed. PC Patrick Quinton’s taxi compliance team stopped the car on Bond Street. Councillors heard he quoted £10 but allegedly took £30 — which he later denied. Private hire cannot take street hails; doing so invalidates insurance. The sub-committee found unlawful plying for hire and ruled he was not fit and proper; he claimed he was “tricked.” Officers say undercover briefings forbid pressuring drivers.