Call to tackle illegal taxis in Guernsey

The president of the Guernsey Taxi Federation has expressed disbelief that neither the police nor the States are doing anything to stop illegal taxis.

Lifts advertised on social media sites are illegal as private insurance does not cover them or their passengers if they have an accident.

Geoff Savident said he was told there were not enough resources to tackle the issue.

Guernsey Police said they were considering targeting "Facebook taxis".

Traffic Sgt John Tostevin said there were a number of risks involved for those operating and using these unlicensed vehicles.

He said: "It is illegal, you need insurance, you're breaking the law... also we could have young ladies being picked up by someone and they have no idea who it is - the risk there is phenomenal."

Environment Minister Peter Sirett said if taxi drivers were aware of the problem they should report those involved to the police.

He said: "It is a very difficult problem, but I'm still not convinced of the depth of the problem as I know nothing about it."

One unlicensed driver told BBC Guernsey: "I've never asked for any money, but people always give us money for doing it.

"There used to be a late night bus service from town to the Bridge and everyone used to use that, but they stopped that and people were walking and I always found it was more dangerous for people to walk home drunk."