PC Patrick Quinton, of Avon and Somerset Police, reported taxi and private hire checks at Bristol Airport on Friday 30 October. Officers looked at 108 vehicles licensed by 13 councils. Two had ghost plates. Both were suspended at once and the plates were removed.
Ghost plates are number plates made or altered so cameras, including automatic number plate recognition, cannot read the registration. The plate can look normal to the eye.
The shuttle
One locally licensed private hire vehicle was being used as a shuttle by a driver who did not hold the licence for that work. The vehicle sent to collect the passengers was unlicensed, and a licensed private hire driver was at the wheel. North Somerset Council is taking the lead on that case.
In the officer's words
Quinton put the results in these words. "We checked 108 vehicles from 13 different Councils.
"We found one locally licensed PHV being used as a shuttle service being driven by an unlicensed driver. Disappointing, the replacement vehicle which turned up to take the passengers instead was an unlicensed vehicle driven by a licensed PHD. North Somerset Council are taking the lead on dealing with that issue.
"Two vehicles were found with ghost plates, so both were immediately suspended from service and plates removed.
"Thanks for your waves and thumbs up today, and I'm especially grateful for your patience and cooperation whilst we do these necessary checks."