POLICE and licensing officials are warning city centre revellers to be on their guard tonight in case they fall victim to a bogus driver in a stolen taxi.
The warning follows the theft of a fully-badged private hire taxi earlier this week.
The black Skoda Superb Comfort TDi, registration number SB05 ZVW, was taken from outside an address in Cromartie Street, Dresden, between 11.15pm on Wednesday and 6.45am on Thursday.
Police are concerned that the car, which belongs to Normacot-based firm Autocabs, could easily be mistaken by drinkers and clubbers for a genuine cab.
A Staffordshire Police spokesman said anyone getting into a car matching the description should look for identification to confirm the vehicle and driver are genuine.
She said: “The vehicle had stickers on both doors with the word ‘Autocabs’, and the licence badge number is PH824.
“Police are urging people who may use a taxi during the weekend to check the licence badge number inside the vehicle.”
Councillor Joy Garner, pictured, who chairs Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s licensing and registration committee, which regulates taxis in the city, said she was extremely concerned about the theft.
She said: “This is quite worrying because the car will look like a real taxi.
“I am concerned that someone could be using this car for criminal purposes on very busy nights in the city centre like tonight, or Monday, which is aa very popular night for students.
“Not only could someone be using the car to earn money illegally, but there is a risk that passengers could be attacked and robbed or even raped.
“Even if the driver is just earning extra money from it, they will not be licensed so the vehicle won’t be covered by insurance in the event of an accident.”
Mrs Garner said that, by law, all private hire vehicles must display identification on their dashboards, and drivers are also required to wear photo ID badges.
She said: “Anyone getting into a taxi should always make sure that the driver is wearing their ID badge, and that the picture looks like them and the details match the vehicle.
“If in any doubt about the authenticity of the driver or cab, the passenger should call the police immediately.”
But she reassured residents that there is no reason for undue alarm as long as they take simple precautions.
Asif Mohammed, a partner at Autocabs, is also concerned about the theft.
He said: “If someone is using this stolen car to operate in the city it would be a big concern for us.
“But all our drivers have badges and plates on the dashboard, so passengers can check that they are getting into a genuine taxi.”
Anyone with information about the taxi theft should call contact Staffordshire Police on 0300 1234455, quoting incident 103 of September 2.
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Police warn revellers to be on alert for bogus drivers after taxi stolen
