Aphrodite Wedding Services - Gays could be at risk on their wedding day. Shock Horror - Amazing pictures !!!

Martin Delgado in the Mail Online reports that the luxury car hire firm Aphrodite Wedding Services run by Judith Quick the the wife of Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick from their home and advertised in Yellow Pages and also in the Gay Friendly guide:

1. Does not appear to have an operator's licence
2. This fact (if true) could jeopardise insurance policies when hiring vehicles
3. To get an operator’s licence, drivers must be checked by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) – so there is no way of guaranteeing those employed by Aphrodite have been vetted

Paradoxically when Bob the Plod was Chief Constable of Surrey , his force and the local Tandridge District Council produced a 36-page booklet explaining the rules affecting private car hire firms. (pdf see Pages 17/18/19 ref Private Hire vehicles - pic of cover above) Which provides the helpful advice for those anxious to conform to legal requirements ;

‘Every Private Hire vehicle shall be licensed under the 1976 Act, section 48,
subject to conditions....... All vehicles will be subject to periodic testing during the licensing period to ensure that vehicles are maintained in a fit and proper condition. Local
Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. The Council is authorised
to conduct extra spot checks and inspection at any time.’

The Mail quote a Tandridge District Council spokesman : ‘If this business is providing car hire services for day trips and events, and not just for weddings and funerals, we believe it does need a private hire vehicle and operator’s licence. All its drivers will also need to be licensed. We will be contacting the business.’ Aphrodite Wedding Services don't appear on the Council website list of local businesss.

It is also worth noting that the Surrey Police /Tandridge Council Guide cearly states ;

This information is intended to provide guidance on the licensing requirements in Tandridge District Council under the Town Police Clauses Act 1847, as amended, and the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.

It is not intended to be an exhaustive or definitive statement of the law and all drivers, operators and proprietors should familiarise themselves with the provisions of the relevant Acts and any local byelaws.