Rogue Minicab Operation

8 October 2014, 19:08 | Updated: 8 October 2014, 19:14

More than 40 people have been arrested as part of an operation targeting rogue minicab drivers in London.

Scotland Yard say the arrests were for touting and other cab-related offences over three weekends this Autumn.

Met officers checked more than 1,700 vehicles over three weekends and spoke with over 10,000 women to warn them that any minicab that isn't booked through a licensed minicab operator is dangerous and puts them at risk of attack, including sexual assault and robbery.

Acting Superintendent Andrew Johnstone, Roads and Transport Policing Command, said: "Our increased policing activity by our dedicated Cabs Enforcement Unit and Safer Transport Teams during the Freshers period has resulted in over 40 people being arrested for touting and over 10,000 women being warned of the dangers of getting into unbooked minicabs, covering the Freshers period.

"It is not worth the risk of getting into unbooked minicabs picked up off the street. Any minicab journey that isn't booked is dangerous and puts you at risk of sexual assault and robbery.

"We will continue to carry out these operations as part of our ongoing drive to tackle illegal minicab drivers operating in the Capital and to ensuring Londoners travel safely at night."

Siwan Hayward, TfL's Deputy Director of Enforcement and On-Street Operations, said: "We continue to work with our policing partners to crack down on illegal cab touts in the capital, as part of our ongoing efforts to tackle the danger they pose to the travelling public and make sure everyone gets home safely.

"Many people who travel in the capital still think that picking up a minicab off the street is legal - but it's not. Only black cabs can be picked up off the streets; all minicabs need to be pre-booked through a licensed operator and any minicab that picks someone up off the street, whether they offer you a ride or you approach them, is breaking the law. Never get into an unbooked minicab. They are not safe.

"We need Londoners help make safe choices and stifle demand for illegal cab touts. Support our latest Safer Travel at Night campaign, by pledging with your friends not use a bogus cab and post your #HomesSafeSelfie to Twitter, Facebook or Instagram."