Police target illegal minicabs in safer travel operation9:32am Saturday 1st October 2011Sutton is targeting illegal minicabs in a bid to keep women safe when travelling home at night.
Specialist transport police officers have launched the Safe Travel at Night campaign.
The team will warn about the dangers of unlicensed minicabs when visiting bars, pubs, clubs and hairdressers.
In a two-pronged strategy, they will also be carrying out patrols checking minicab drivers are licensed.
Safer Travel at Night will run until the end of the year to educate women and party goers on the dangers they may face.
The operation will be supported by Sutton’s Street Pastors.
Safer Transport Team Sergeant Bryan Gibson, said: “People take a chance especially when they have had a few drinks and can’t wait to get home.
“Typical victims don’t go out that often and may not have made arrangements about how to get home.
“The next thing is that they are jumping into a car that may not be a genuine licensed minicab - putting themselves at risk.”
Among the hairdressers displaying the campaign literature is Headmasters salon, High Street, Sutton.
Their receptionist Danyelle Davis, 18, said: “It’s brilliant that the police are doing this. I go out to clubs and enjoy a drink. I wouldn’t want anything nasty to happen to me or my friends.”
The scheme is a partnership between Transport for London, the Metropolitan Police, British Transport Police and the Mayor.
Police advice is to book your minicab with a licensed minicab operator, make sure the driver can confirm your name and destination before you get in and always sit in the back seat and carry your mobile phone with you in case of an emergency.
Source; http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news ... operation/
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