PRIVATE hire drivers in Bradford will still be required to display decals on the side of their cars, despite claims that they make them targets of attacks.
Dozens of drivers piled into Bradford City Hall last Thursday (10) to hear councillors discuss plans to make changes to its taxi licensing conditions.
Changes include the scrapping the requirement for a “topographical knowledge” test for potential new drivers, and the addition of new decals on the side of private hire vehicles to highlight that they were licensed in Bradford.
It would mean vehicles would now require a decal saying they are registered in Bradford, and another stating what company the vehicle is registered to.
Members of Bradford Council’s Regulatory and Appeals Committee heard that although the local knowledge test would be dropped, drivers would still be given training on Bradford’s landmarks, events and important buildings like hospitals.
During the meeting, some drivers claimed that the existing requirement to display private hire decals on their vehicles made them the target of vandalism and abuse.
One of the private hire spokesmen, Raja Khan, said: “There have been serious safety issue for drivers over recent months.
“We’re seeing an increase in private hire vehicles being targeted and vandalised, with windows being smashed.
“It is unsafe because vehicles are easily identified.
“Other drivers are subject to abuse because we have stickers on our cars.”
Carol Stos, Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Manager, said: “Not all private hire operators have the technology to provide passengers with all these details by phone. “When we speak to the public they tell us they want to see decals.”
Councillor Shakeela Lal (Lab, City) said: “Personally I wouldn’t feel safe getting into a taxi without any markings on.
“I understand there are some no-go areas for Asian taxi drivers. But I wouldn’t feel comfortable getting into a taxi without a decal, I would wonder how official they were.”
Four members of the committee voted to approve the changes – and keep decals on vehicles, and three voted against.
Sir Anwar cutting the cake during Bestway group’s 32nd annual charity day last Friday (20)
King Charles and Queen Camilla at Royal Ascot
Lord Tariq Ahmad
Lord Jitesh Gadhia and Lord Zameer Choudrey
Guests at the Pavilion restaurant
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)