Hartlepool Council has introduced new badges and licence plates for the town's cabs and private hire vehicles.

The new badges now include a hologram and a digital photograph to make counterfeiting more difficult.

The authority says it wants to reduce the number of rogue operators, who it says are under-insured and put the public at risk.

The council's taxi licensing officer Dawn Marley said: "No-one should ever get into the car of a complete stranger, yet that is what taxi customers usually do.

Legal responsibilities

"People trust taxi drivers to be honest and safe, and the council carries out rigorous checks on all drivers to ensure that they are.

"Drivers' licences are only issued following a police check and a satisfactory medical examination.

"Drivers must also show that they understand their legal responsibilities and they are tested on their local knowledge.

"Whilst we do not believe that there is a problem with unlicensed drivers in Hartlepool, we feel it is important to create an environment that deters anyone from being tempted to operate in such a way.

"Unlicensed drivers will almost certainly not be insured and would not have been vetted to ensure they are trustworthy or safe to travel with."