POLICE took 18 dangerous taxis off the roads last night in a safety blitz.

And several drivers could be facing prosecution following the random checks on taxis in Blackburn.

The crackdown follows two similar operations in Accrington earlier this week.

Police and council officers put 27 vehicles through a set of rigorous tests.

Shocked police found 16 of the vehicles were too dangerous to be allowed back on the road and two more did not meet taxi cab safety standards but could still be used privately.

A spokesman for the police said: "The number of vehicles we had to take off the road was not as high as on previous occasions.

"But we are still very concerned because there were a high number of vehicles with serious faults and in a very dangerous condition."

Faults included worn tyres, dangerous brakes and faulty steering systems.

Social security officials also took part in the nine-hour operation and a number of drivers could be investigated for benefit fraud.

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