Devon and Cornwall Police teamed up with Cornwall Council enforcement officers and the Roads Policing Team yesterday to check taxis in the St Austell area.

Out of 24 taxis that were checked, nine were found to be defective with six having their plates removed for safety reasons.

Two of the vehicles were issued with Vehicle Prohibition Notices for dangerous conditions; one vehicle’s door was jammed and the other vehicle’s tyre condition was deemed defective and a ticket was issued.

The six vehicles which had their plates removed can no longer be used as taxis until all of their defects have been rectified.

Police Constable Jason Mullard said: ’The checks were at random to show a true reflection of the condition of day-to-day vehicles on our roads.

’This goes to show that these checks are worthwhile and are important in maintaining a high standard of road safety.’