Rocketing number of illegal drivers in capital

A GROWING "underclass" of motorists is driving without tax, insurance or licences in London.

New figures show that 14,230 illegal drivers were stopped in the capital last year. It compares with none stopped in 2004 rising to 5,886 in 2006, as police began using Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras.

By August this year figures from the Mayor's Office show 16,384 illegal vehicles had already been seized, a number boosted by powers given to the Safer Neighbourhood community policing teams set up by the Met Police.

The Motor Insurers Bureau estimates that 1.2 per cent of vehicles on London roads at any one time are outside the law. In all, there may be about 450,000 illegal motorists in the capital.

Today, however, the London Assembly Green Party said it believed the figure was far higher, and rising.

It estimated that in parts of the capital, particularly towards east London, up to one in 10 motorists were driving illegally. Green Assembly member Jenny Jones said: "The large and growing number of illegal drivers is worrying for all us; other drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. It is a real pain if you have a bump with someone and they give you a false name and address.

"But these people are trying to put themselves beyond the law; it means that every time their car is caught on camera speeding or driving in a bus lane, the letter and fine goes nowhere and they get away with it. Because illegal drivers think they can get away with it they drive less safely, putting us all at greater risk."

Ms Jones said the Greens wanted to see about 100,000 illegal cars seized by the end of next year, and a further 100,000 the following year, in order to "get the message across that you cannot benefit from this kind of behaviour".

The insurance industry says uninsured drivers put premiums up for law-abiding motorists by an average of £30 each.

There are no British or EU laws that require member states to provide authorities such as TfL with access to the keeper information of vehicles registered in their country.

Ian Crowder, of AA Insurance, said: "Nationally, one in 20 drivers may be uninsured. If you are heading up the M1 on a busy day probably 20 cars pass you in the opposite direction every 20 seconds, so every 20 seconds someone passes you without cover."

"Statistics suggest that in some inner city areas, including London, up to one in four drivers may be uninsured."