Important Reminder: Standards of Conduct and Use of Public Facilities - Taxi trade updates

Dear Licence Holder,

Bolton Council's Licencing Unit has recently received several complaints regarding licensed drivers urinating or defecating in public places whilst working. This behaviour is completely unacceptable and is considered a serious breach of the standards expected of a licensed driver. This behaviour brings the whole licensed trade into disrepute, damages public confidence, and undermines the reputation of the private hire and hackney carriage industry. Members of the public are entitled to expect licensed drivers to conduct themselves in a professional and responsible manner at all times.

Urinating or defecating in public is wholly unacceptable and may amount to criminal conduct, offences will be investigated under:

• Section 78 of the Police Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (Public Nuisance).
• Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986.
• The local Public Spaces Protection Orders made under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
• Other relevant legislation.

Such conduct may result in police action and criminal proceedings.

Drivers are reminded that they must make appropriate arrangements to access toilet facilities during their working day. Under no circumstances is it acceptable to use public streets, car parks, alleyways, parks, or other locations as toilet facilities.

Drivers are hereby warned that any future complaints of this nature will be treated with the utmost seriousness and with a zero-tolerance approach. Where a complaint is substantiated, Bolton Council will refer the matter to the Licensing and Environmental Regulation Committee for consideration of formal action. Conduct involving urination or defecation in a public place is considered wholly unacceptable and will call into question whether the individual remains a ‘fit and proper’ person to hold a licence. Drivers should be aware that proven incidents of this nature may result in suspension, revocation, or other enforcement action being considered.

Trade representatives, operators, and vehicle proprietors are asked to ensure that all drivers are made aware of the contents of this letter.

Bolton Council expects the highest standards of conduct from all licence holders and will not hesitate to take robust action where those standards are not met.

Yours faithfully,

Neil Brown
Licensing Compliance Officer