Taxi passengers attempting to flee from cabs without paying the fare could find themselves in hot water after a new campaign was launched in Swansea.
Cabbies have joined forces with local police and Swansea Council licensing officers to try to combat the problem.
Recent meetings with the taxi trade in Swansea have highlighted the ongoing problem of passengers making off without paying and leaving taxi drivers out of pocket.
Police have now sent a warning to potential customers that they face prosecution if they are caught committing such an offence.
So far the campaign has resulted in a court appearance for one passenger and police and Council licensing officers say they will continue to help local taxi companies in a bid to stamp out the problem.
Terry Davies, owner of Datacabs, has been working with the Council and police to deal with the problem. He said: “The Council and police are trying to help us with this problem.
“Passengers need to know that getting out of a taxi and not paying is a criminal offence. People sometimes get in a taxi knowing they haven’t got the money to pay the fare.
“It might not seem like much money to the people who are getting out without paying, but to us it’s our livelihood.
“All our taxis will now be displaying notices in the vehicles telling passengers it’s a crime to leave without paying and, if caught, they could end up weith a criminal record. Hoepfully this will make them thnik twice.”
Martin Saville, Head of Public Protection in Swansea Council, said: “We meet regularly with taxi companies and this is something they have highlighted to us as a problem.
“When passengers make off without paying the fare, it means taxi companies are being deprived of money that is rightfully theirs and this can have an adverse effect on local taxi businesses.
“We’re aiming to continue our work with local police and taxi businesses in an effort to deal with this problem effectively.”
South Wales Police City Centre Inspector Cath Larkman said: “Any passenger requesting a journey who dishonestly makes off without paying the fare and with intent to avoid payment may be guilty of a criminal offence.
“We would urge passengers to make sure they pay the right fare or risk facing prosecution.”
