Police have promised tough action after three-quarters of taxis and minicabs checked by officers failed to pass spot inspections.

Officers insist illegal and unroadworthy taxis and private hire vehicles will not be tolerated on the streets, after Airedale and North Bradford Police suspended the licences of four drivers.

They have warned they will be mounting another operation to check taxis in the near future after only three out of 14 vehicles fully passed the inspections.

Both Hackney Carriage and minicabs were checked, though police did not have a breakdown of which passed and failed from each.

Officers joined forces with colleagues at Bradford Council Hackney Carriage licensing in Keighley and Bingley on Friday and Saturday evening to check the roadworthiness of cars.

As a result of the operation, four taxi drivers were suspended from operating immediately due to breaches of their licences and another seven were issued with advisory notices for defects to their cars.

Officers also issued six fixed penalty notices to drivers for excess speed, tyre faults, the condition of their vehicle and parking offences.

The operation was the latest in a series of initiatives by Keighley and Bingley officers this year, as part of a focus on road safety.

Last month, 27 taxis were stopped by officers in Keighley, Bingley and Shipley. The licences of four drivers were suspended.

Acting Inspector Craig Marshall, of the Keighley Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “It is important for those who regularly use taxis in communities such as Keighley and Bingley to know they are fully licensed and safe, so clearly we are disappointed by the results of this latest operation.

“Residents who use taxis have a right to expect a safe service in a vehicle which fully complies with the law and we are doing all we can to ensure that is the case.”