POLICE are tackling the problem of disorderly taxi queues and illegal cabs touting for trade in a North-East city following numerous complaints.
Chief Inspector Jo Miskimmin, of Sunderland Area Command, said: "We receive a steady stream of complaints from people about private hire vehicles touting for trade at taxi queues or passengers flagging them down.
"These vehicles are licensed only to take pre-booked customers.
"This is a public safety issue, as passengers picked up on the street in this way are not covered by insurance and could be out of pocket if they are involved in a collision."
Plain-clothes officers have been monitoring taxi queues, gathering evidence from owners of private hire vehicles who are contravening the law.
Chief Insp Miskimmin said: "These drivers are risking their passengers' safety and their livelihoods by acting in this manner."
* Police in Sunderland arrested 100 people for the week ending July 24 as part of the crime-fighting The Party's Over campaign.
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