A FRUSTRATED Northallerton taxi boss says unlicensed cars operating in the town are threatening people’s lives and damaging the livelihoods of legitimate drivers.

Dave Sayer, of A2B Taxis, says the market town is heading towards a ‘taxi mutiny’ as licensed drivers are reaching the end of their tether with having to compete against the rogue cars.

Mr Sayer, who has owned A2B Taxis since 2001, has seen an increasing number of unlicensed cars picking up revellers outside the town’s Club Amadeus on Friday and Saturday nights.

He believes that people are touting for business inside the club and are offering revellers lifts home for cheaper fares than legitimate taxis.

He has reported the matter to the council numerous times and has been told that enforcement action requires police involvement.

Hambleton District Council and North Yorkshire Police say that they are aware of the issue and have been working together on a solution.

Mr Sayer said the situation is incredibly frustrating for legitimate taxi drivers who pay hundreds of pounds for their licence and insurance to operate, notwithstanding the risk unlicensed cars pose to the public.

He said: “It has got to the point where I can’t stand it anymore. I am so frightened that somebody is going to get killed, raped or something like that. God forbid, but it is going to happen.”

Mr Sayer has heard stories of the bogus taxis being driven dangerously and says that women leaving the club are particularly vulnerable.

Registered taxis have to undergo stringent vehicle checks, have the correct insurance and the drivers must pass medical and criminal tests to ensure they are fit to work as a driver.

A spokeswoman for Hambleton District Council said the authority has been made aware of several unlicensed taxis operating in the Northallerton area and urged residents to check the credentials of a driver before using the car.

Legitimate drivers should carry an identification badge and cars licensed by the council feature a taxi license plate and door badges.

The spokeswoman said: “The person behind the wheel of an unlicensed taxi could be extremely dangerous and the same could be said of the vehicle itself.”

She added: “Hambleton District Council and North Yorkshire Police are working together to ensure that any unlicensed drivers are subject to appropriate enforcement action and this may involve prosecution in due course.”