ALMOST half of the taxis checked in Scarborough during an operation by North Yorkshire Police were taken off the road.

A total of 15 taxis were checked in the operation, with seven drivers ordered to take their vehicles out of use.

One of these was given an immediate prohibition notice and the other six were given delayed orders.

Four other vehicles were issued with traffic notices for minor defects.

The Department of Works and Pensions is also investigating one case of alleged benefit fraud.

Scarborough Borough Council's licensing department issued formal warnings to drivers for failing to wear badges.

Sergeant Chris Charlton, of the Eastern Areas Road Policing Group, said: "This type of multi-agency operation is carried out regularly throughout North Yorkshire and is an essential element in improving and maintaining safety standards.

"It is imperative that safety standards are maintained to a high level in order to minimise the possibility of them being in accidents, so protecting the people who travel in them.

"On this occasion there were no horror stories like we have seen before in Scarborough on checks, and generally standards seem to have improved.

"There is no margin for complacency among drivers and operators, some of whom have a long way to go."

Updated: 08:45 Thursday, July 31, 2003