Belfast city centre is being targeted in crackdown

Environment Minister Sam Foster has allocated extra money to the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency to fund the Christmas crackdown on illegal taxis.

Mr Foster said DVTA enforcement officers would be undertaking a "concerted taxi enforcement campaign" during the Christmas period along with the police and customs officers as part of their objectives to improve road safety and enhance fair competition within the taxi industry.

He said the crackdown would use a range of strategies including high profile checks, targeted checks and undercover operations.

"Particular attention will be given to Belfast and Londonderry where the problem of illegal taxis is particularly prevalent," Mr Foster said.

The move has come partly in response to the number of complaints about illegal taxis during the festive season.

Any member of the public using a taxi should check to ensure that it is legal, as their own safety could be placed in jeopardy as a result of using an illegal taxi

Environment Minister Sam Foster

Mr Foster added: "It is important that the general public are aware of the risks of travelling in illegal taxis, and the steps they should take to ensure their safety.

"Any member of the public using a taxi should check to ensure that it is legal, as their own safety could be placed in jeopardy as a result of using an illegal taxi."

Legal taxis should display a current Public Service Vehicle Disc (yellow or Green) and the driver must have a taxi driver identity badge on their person.

Mr Foster also warned the public that it is only legal to flag down or hail a licenced London hackney-carriage-style taxi in Belfast city centre.

Ordinary private hire taxis must legally be pre-booked.

So far this year, 50 taxi enforcement operations have taken place, which involved checking 1,235 taxis.