FIVE taxi drivers had their licences suspended and a ten cars were taken off the roads as part of Operation Steerside action this week.

A traffic enforcement day was carried out in Thornton Road and Haworth Road as part of Operation Steerside on Wednesday.

Three vehicles - including a taxi - were seized for having no insurance, and the drivers were ordered to attend court in the near future.

A number of tickets were issued to motorists whose vehicles didn't have a valid MOT, for drivers with illegal number plates, and due to occupants no wearing their seatbelts.

Five taxi drivers also had their licences suspended.

Officers from West Yorkshire Police's Bradford West Neighbourhood Policing Team were joined by officials from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, HM Revenue and Customs, and Taxi Licensing for the operation.

Ten vehicles were taken off the road by the DVSA for a number of mechanical issues, and one driver was also slapped with an immediate fine for having red diesel in their vehicle by HMRC.

Red diesel can be bought and used legally in the UK. However, any use of red diesel in a road vehicle is illegal, as it is considered tax evasion.

A spokesman for Bradford Council said: “We are confident that our vehicle inspection service and licensing procedures achieve the purpose of making sure our passengers are as safe as possible, which is the number one priority for Bradford Council.

“Bradford Council Taxi Service officers with other agencies routinely carry out unscheduled on-the-spot roadside inspections of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire vehicles.

“Details of our other taxi and private hire licensing and inspection procedures are published on our website.

“A recent independent review of Bradford Council’s taxi operations identified passenger safety and good practice as the main priorities of the service and found that the service was operating in accordance with the highest national standards.”