Taxi Driver Online

It would appear in 1992 the Police recognised the importance of licensing London minicab drivers and their vehicles but why was the silence of the London Taxi trade so deafening?
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Evening Standard (London)

August 10, 1992, Monday

HEADLINE: MiniCabs: The most dangerous way to travel

BYLINE: Dick Murray

POLICE today officially classified unlicensed minicabs as the most dangerous form of public transport.

The claim, by Sgt Steve Rolfe of the Metropolitan Police Taxi Law Enforcement Section, came as London council leaders demanded tough new regulations to cover all minicab operations in the capital.

Police estimate that around 60,000 unlicensed vehicles ply their trade in London, many picking up illegally at nightclubs, theatres, supermarkets and stations.

Detectives believe they may only know a fraction of the passenger assaults which take place every week in both licensed and unlicensed cabs.

Sgt Rolfe told Company magazine that there was 'no guarantee' that even a taxi with a licence was a safe haven and says a series of attacks on female passengers recently provoked an outcry.

'Police recognise that the majority of women assaulted - physically or verbally - do not even report the incident.'

He added: 'Unlicensed mini-cabs are the most dangerous form of public transport.'

A survey carried out by the Taxi Licensing Officers' Association last year found 486 cabbies with criminal records lied about them on their licence form.

Across 136 local authorities 1,000 drivers were found to have criminal records.

A special report being discussed by Westminster City Council today says: 'It is incongruous that, apart from a few rural districts, London is the only place in England and Wales where minicab operations may be undertaken free from any form of regulation and control.'

It adds that 'given the scope which currently exists for individuals to operate in an unscrupulous and possibly criminal fashion and thereby compromise the safety of users, we recommend that regulation should be introduced to cover minicab operations in London.'

Westminster, which covers Soho and the West End, has the support of other councils and also of the Suzy Lamplugh Trust which says 'there is no control at all of the minicab driver and his or her vehicle needs only meet the normal road worthiness requirements of the various Road Traffic Acts.'

The Trust highlights the risk to London minicab users. In the capital a 'distressing experience' happens once in just over every 200 trips, double that of Manchester where the figure is once every 403 journeys.

'It would seem in the interests of all concerned that the situation is resolved and increased risk faced by London minicab passengers is reduced.'
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I've never claimed we campainged for Licensing, why would we? they had their own organisations such as Steve Wright who was taking the campaign forward, the bottom line is that 'we're' not the Minicab trade.

My original point was we did'nt oppose it.

As a footnote, what a result licensing has been, 20'000, thats 20'000 less members of the opposition for me to contend with.