'Unsafe' taxis ordered off road
Seven taxis were ordered off the road and their drivers issued warnings, during a safety blitz in Somerset.
Some cabs had low tyre treads or faulty lights and one was towed away by a recovery vehicle because it was in such a dangerous state, police said.
Checks were made on 34 vehicles in Yeovil, Crewkerne and Wincanton on Friday evening.
All the drivers were also tested to see if they had been drink driving, as part of the force's Operation Tonic.
Pc Tony Foster, who headed the operation, said: "In the run-up to Christmas, there is an increase in the amount of trade for taxis, and some operators put un-roadworthy vehicles on the road to meet this extra demand.
"It was disappointing to find so many defective tyres when these are critical to road safety and are easy for a driver to check to make sure that they are legal.
"This multi agency check allowed us to examine vehicles in great detail and discover these dangerous offences. People who use taxis expect them to be safe."
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