FIVE taxis have been taken off the road after spot checks revealed a catalogue of offences.

A purge on drivers in Northallerton and Thirsk has uncovered a worrying number of vehicles that fail to comply with the law in a number of key safety areas.

The six-hour inspection took place as part of the Government Agency Intelligence Network, a partnership project that aims to safeguard the public and other road-users.

Twelve officers from Hambleton District Council, North Yorkshire Police, the Vehicle Inspectorate and the Department of Works and Pensions stopped 18 taxis working in the two towns during the operation.

Ten of the cars were sent for detailed inspection at the Racecourse Lane Police Headquarters and half of those were taken off the road for a range of offences including tyres below the legal limit and faulty lights.

The spot checks also revealed offences that included out-of-date tax discs, drivers without identification badges and a car with no fire extinguisher.

A police spokesman said: "Nearly one third of the vehicles have been told 'stop now' and that is very poor. We hope that other drivers in Thirsk, Northallerton and beyond will pay heed that the police are not prepared to tolerate this standard of maintenance.

"This is just one type of spot check that the police do, either on their own or with other agencies, and they will continue. We hope that next time we do this check, and there will be a next time, there are fewer defects."

The council is also concerned about the outcome of the operation. Coun John Morley, public safety spokesman, said: "It is a disappointment. Here we have had an important element of trust denied for the council and for the public who hire the taxis.

"This is not good for public safety and protection, especially for women, in light of what can happen when a person takes an unregistered taxi.

We take these things very seriously, it is not on when these people allow their vehicles to get this way - it is very worrying."