GWYNEDD Council is cracking down on unlicensed and uninsured taxi drivers.

With many revellers out and about during the festive season, it is important that Gwynedd residents have access to a reliable and trustworthy taxi service to get them home safely after a night out.

But as demand for taxis increases, so does the risk of unlicensed and uninsured individuals taking advantage of the situation and making money out of those needing a lift home.

Those individuals offering lifts via social media or on the spot for payment without the necessary licence are operating illegally and could face prosecution.

This endangers the safety of customers and other road users.

It also undermines the efforts of private hire and taxi drivers who work hard to operate within the law and deliver a high-quality service.

Cllr Dafydd Meurig, Gwynedd Council’s cabinet member for the environment, said: “Public safety is paramount, especially for people who are getting a taxi by themselves.

“There is a reliable and efficient licensed taxi and private hire industry in Gwynedd, and these licensed drivers are committed to making sure that people can get home safely after a night out.

“They have secured the necessary licence and insurance they need to operate and work closely with the council in order to deliver a trustworthy service.”