A CHECK on more than 100 taxis has ensured that potential death traps have been taken off the road.

In a day long operation by Durham Constabulary and Chester-le-Street District Council, two taxis were immediately removed from circulation while a further 11 were given vehicle defect notices to carry out safety work immediately.

Last Friday's crackdown on hackney and private hire taxis saw Durham police accident investigators examine around 110 vehicles at the council depot in the Old Colliery yard in Lingley Close, Sacriston.

Police said that a similar operation in Derwentside was marred by about half the vehicles sporting new tyres and nearly all of them seemed to have had a valet before being checked over.

One of the cars taken off the road didn't have a valid licence, while the other had a catalogue of failures including loose and sparking wires in the engine, door hinges that were rusted away and a defective drivers seat.

A spokesman for Durham police hailed the operation a success. He said: "We took two cars off the road and issued 11 vehicle defect notices. This means we have given them time to correct the faults in things like tyres and brakes. A number of verbal warnings were also given for minor offences.

"The vehicle with a catalogue of problems is one that will no longer be out and about in Chester-le-Street carrying unsuspecting people around.

"By that token alone this operation has been a success. It could actually help save lives. We are now looking to taking this kind of operation to other parts of County Durham."

A similar exercise in Derwentside in April saw 150 vehicles examined with three being taken off the road because of serious faults and 14 vehicle defect notices being issued.

Peter Wright, Chester-le-Street District Council's taxi licensing officer, co-ordinated last week's checks. He said: "This check was looking to see that tyres were okay and that they had insurance and tax and all the documentation for licence applications."