A WARNING has been issued following reports of unlicensed taxis operating in the region.

Hartlepool Borough Council has received reports that a number of vehicles have been seen on Friday and Saturday nights in the town centre area offering revellers a lift home.

There are also reports that ‘cheap taxi rides’ are being offered via Facebook and other social media.

Ian Harrison, the Council’s trading standards and licensing manager, said: “Vehicles that are operating as unlicensed taxis will not be insured and therefore anyone travelling in them is putting themselves at risk. There are also obvious dangers associated with accepting a lift from a complete stranger who has not been the subject of rigorous independent checks.

“I am greatly concerned about the motives behind those who are offering ‘cheap’ taxi rides to people who have been enjoying a night out and who may have had too much to drink. Not only may they be putting the public at risk but they also undermine the trust that the public can have in the licensed taxi trade.

“Our taxi fares are among the very cheapest in the country and whilst I appreciate there may be times that it can be hard to find a licensed vehicle, the risks associated with using an unlicensed vehicle are not worth it.”