Crackdown on unbooked taxi drivers nets arrests

Date: 24/5/2011

Police and transport groups in London are cracking down on unlicensed minicab operators who work in the city.

As a result of their efforts in the last year, 1,300 individuals were arrested, with a weekend operation recently notching up 39 apprehensions.

A partnership between Transport for London (TfL), Mayor of the capital Boris Johnson and both the Metropolitan and City of London Police, the Safer Travel at Night campaign aimed to raise awareness of the risks involved in taking an unbooked cab.

The action taken to reduce the number of touts includes high visibility patrols, intelligence work and stop and checks on vehicles and their drivers.

However, the groups note that despite the significant number of arrests made, this problem is something that continues to be a priority.

Some minicabs are unregulated and their operators are not insured to carry paying passengers, while they are also putting licensed cab and private hire firms at financial risk due to them missing out on fares.

Chief Superintendent Joe Royle, of Safer Transport Command, says: "We will continue to carry out operations as part of our ongoing drive to tackle illegal cabs and taxi touts operating in the capital."

TfL is currently urging cab drivers in London to join a consultation on proposed exemptions to the age limit of private hire vehicles and taxis as it continues its efforts to reduce emissions.

Posted by Mary Treen