Your Council working in partnership to make our city safer

Hail it! Book it! Avoid it!

Getting into an unmarked car after a night out can be dangerous, so don't take the chance

You've had a night out on the town and enjoyed a few drinks with friends, and now you need to get home...
It's the early hours of the morning, and as you stand alone in the street outside a bar or nightclub, a car pulls up, the driver winds the window down and shouts 'taxi', and you jump in, thinking you have your lift home.
Anyone can make this mistake and assume that a driver touting for business is a genuine and licensed cabbie.
But illegal taxis are believed to be operating in Hull, and accepting a lift from one of these dodgy drivers can lead to all kinds of dangers.
"If people use unlicensed drivers and vehicles they put themselves at risk of robbery, assault or even worse, so it is important that people can recognise and use licensed taxis and taxi drivers and stay safe," says Haydn Regan, a licensing enforcement officer with Hull Citysafe.
"And there are other hazards – the car itself may be unsafe and without a current MOT test certificate, the driver may not hold a valid driving licence, and you may not be insured against injury if the car is involved in an accident."

Working together

Hull Citysafe is a crime and disorder reduction partnership which tackles all forms of crime across the city.
The partnership includes Hull City Council, Humberside Police, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service and Humberside Probation Service.
To tackle the dangers of illegal taxis, Hull Citysafe has launched a public awareness campaign called Hail it! Book it! Avoid it!
As part of the campaign, thousands of leaflets (which are small enough to carry in your wallet or pocket) and beer mats have been produced that carry safety advice relating to private hire vehicles and hackney carriage taxis.
The leaflets and beer mats will be distributed to 130 licensed premises across the city, in areas such as the old town, Princes Avenue, and Anlaby Road, to be seen and picked up free by members of the public.
There will also be posters around the city carrying taxi safety messages as well as broadcasts on local radio.
"I think it's a great idea and I'm sure other licensees will give their full support to the campaign," says Adrian Broadhead, general manager of the Sugar Mill nightclub in Hull city centre.
"On a typical Saturday night we have more than 1,000 people in the club and we want them to have a great night out and get home safely.
"Beer mats and leaflets are now on prominent display in the club, we will display messages relating to the campaign on our plasma screens and projectors, and our DJs will ask customers to be aware of illegal taxis and stay safe when arranging lifts home."
Meanwhile, another aspect of the campaign is that it helps support legitimate taxis and private hire companies by ensuring less trade falls into the hands of dodgy drivers.

Haydn Regan (left), a licensing enforcement officer with Hull Citysafe, and Adrian Broadhead, general manager of the Sugar Mill nightclub

Fact file

Remembering the advice and information below will keep you safe.

• hackney carriage vehicles can be flagged down in the street or hired from taxi ranks around the city centre
• the vehicles have an illuminated 'Taxi' sign – only when the sign is switched on is a vehicle available for hire
• always ensure the driver has a hackney carriage identity badge on display inside the vehicle and that there are door and window taxi signs and stickers
• make sure there is a yellow and black hackney carriage plate at the rear of the vehicle and try to make a note of the vehicle's registration number
• private hire vehicles must be pre-booked by phone in advance of your journey, or you can go to the taxi firm's booking office to book one
• remember to agree the fare before your journey
• ask for the make and colour of the vehicle before it arrives to help you confirm it is the right car and driver
• ensure the driver has a private hire identification badge on display
• make sure the vehicle has door signs showing the vehicle number and the name of the taxi operator
• make sure there is a current white, black and red plate on the rear of the vehicle and try to remember the plate number
• sharing the journey with a friend is a good way to stay safe
• trust your instincts – if you feel threatened in any way ask the driver to stop in a busy and well lit area and use your mobile phone to call for help

info

Visit www.hullcc.gov.uk for more information on Hull Citysafe