City crackdown on unlicensed prom cars continues

Josh Sandiford
BBC News, West Midlands
City of Wolverhampton Council Two luxury cars on the back of a lorry. They are on a car park and made a lengthy convoy. There is little else in the picture apart from a brick building in the background and a grey tower block.City of Wolverhampton Council
Three cars were seized by police as a Wolverhampton-wide crackdown continues

Wolverhampton is continuing to crackdown on unlicensed prom cars after parents were warned to take care when booking vehicles.

Enforcement officers were seen alongside West Midlands Police on Friday, checking vehicles taking students to end-of-year celebrations.

Three luxury vehicles were seized for reporting no insurance, the City of Wolverhampton Council said, with pictures showing them being towed away on the back of lorries.

It comes after the local authority began working with schools to alert families to the safety risks of children travelling inside uninsured or unroadworthy transport.

In April, councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, cabinet member for resident services, criticised unscrupulous companies for taking advantage of young people celebrating their achievements.

Extra vigilance was said to be needed when booking services advertised on social media, where the unlicensed trade primarily operates.

City of Wolverhampton Council An expensive car on the back of a lorry. We can see a car park sign in the background. A man in a orange hi-vis uniform can be seen nearby, tightening the straps on the wheel of the car. We can see trees and a tower block in the background.City of Wolverhampton Council
Families are being asked to consider the potential safety risks

"Hiring a vehicle and driver that hasn't been properly vetted and licensed could put your child and their friends at risk," Gakhal said.

"Please consider making checks on the company you are thinking of hiring from to make sure everyone has fun and stays safe on prom night."

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