On 25 February 2026, Hertfordshire Constabulary carried out a safety operation in the Three Rivers area of Hertfordshire to inspect taxis and private hire vehicles. This work was done to ensure that vehicles operating in the district are safe and meet all legal standards for passengers.
Officers stopped and checked 32 drivers during the day to see if they were following the required licensing rules. They found that 12 of these drivers were not compliant, which represents more than a third of those who were inspected.
The safety checks identified various problems, including vehicles with low tyre tread and drivers who were not properly displaying their identification badges. The police worked with enforcement representatives from Transport for London and the City of Wolverhampton Council to carry out the inspections on vehicles licensed in those areas but working within Hertfordshire.
While the focus was on taxi compliance, the operation also led to an arrest for immigration offences after a man was spotted illegally riding an e-scooter on the pavement. This arrest was separate from the vehicle inspections but occurred as part of the wider police presence in the community.
Sergeant Gary Yam, from the Community Safety Unit, stated ‘This is just one example of how we work alongside local partners to help keep people safe. While the majority of the vehicles stopped were compliant with their licence conditions, there were a few issues which needed to be addressed.’
