REDDITCH council chiefs have agreed taxi drivers should have stricter criminal background checks carried out when applying for a licence in order to protect vulnerable passengers.

At last week's executive committee meeting, taxi licensing officer Eddie Isaacs told councillors that in light of the tragic murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham, stricter vetting policies were preferred as public safety was of the utmost importance.

Councillors Pat Wilson and David Cartwight agreed and said enhanced disclosures would make the council more confident it was issuing licences to people who were safe around children and vulnerable people.

Mrs Wilson said: "I understand there are concerns that we don't use taxpayers' money wastefully. But we just need one tragedy to truly regret a decision not to adopt enhanced disclosures for hackney carriage and private hire vehicle driver's licences."

Councillor Andy Fry said: "I have always agreed that enhanced disclosures should be used when handing out licences.

"It's very easy to have power over vulnerable people. We need to protect them."

But the Home Office said previously enhanced disclosures should only be carried out on drivers who come into contact with children or vulnerable groups on a regular basis.

But Mr Isaacs said: "Criminals and sex offenders tell lies and will say whatever they want. With enhanced checks, no-one will slip through the net."