Taxi passengers 'pressured' into tipping marshals

An investigation into the marshals' behaviour is ongoing

Three taxi marshals have been removed from duty after a passenger was reportedly pressured into giving them a tip.

Darlington Borough Council was told a person was not allowed to get into a taxi without tipping a marshal over the weekend.

It said the marshals had been pulled from duty by employer G&A Security, which the council commissions, while the firm investigated. The company has been approached for comment.

Council official Jim Garner said customers should "never be made to pay or tip, or feel compelled to do so".

The council said taxi marshals on Grange Road were one of the measures in place to "ensure people have a fun and safe night out in Darlington".

"They are employed to help people feel safe while they are waiting for a taxi and to reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour," it said.