New Year revellers in Bradford and Kirklees are being warned not to flag down private hire drivers illegally touting for trade on the streets.

Bradford and Kirklees Councils say passengers are at risk because the drivers are unlikely to be covered by their insurance in the event of an accident.

Latif Darr, pictured, chairman of the Bradford Council's transportation, planning and design committee, said: "We are very strict on private hire drivers touting for business on the streets and regularly suspend licences.

"Our enforcement officers are also out regularly, especially at weekends, to check on drivers outside places such as restaurants and nightclubs and sometimes with police officers.

"We urge passengers only to use private hire drivers operating legally for their own safety.''

Doug Holliday, licensing manager at Kirklees Council, said: "Private hire cabs must be pre-booked by customers, with the name, place of pick-up and destination clearly stated. Only hackney carriages can ply for hire on the streets or be hailed. Because these private hire drivers are operating illegally, it could invalidate their insurance.

"If there was an accident and a passenger made a claim, the insurance company could well walk away.''

The plea comes after seven private hire divers in Kirklees had their licences suspended over the festive period and will only have them reinstated on Monday.

The drivers were among nine caught plying for hire in the street in the run-up to Christmas.

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