WPCs arrest 19 illegal cab drivers

A police crackdown on illegal minicab drivers was today hailed a success after 21 men were arrested for touting and other crimes.

Among the arrests were one man with a knife and two others held for drink driving.

For the first time in the operation, an all-female group of undercover officers was used to target blackspots - Haymarketthe Strand and Shaftesbury Avenue. Nineteen drivers were arrested for illegal touting, including one who had a stolen credit card. Two others were found to be disqualified drivers.

Acting Superintendant Chris Rose of the Met's transport operational command unit, which is funded by Transport for London, said: "We like to change officers and tactics frequently to keep the drivers on their toes. Once they recognise us they melt away."

Mr Rose said his unit has grown in 18 months from four staff to 30.

He added: "We recognise large groups of women do go out together and that illegal touts approach them offering a lift home. Unfortunately people think it's all right to catch an illegal cab if they are with friends.

"However, often one person is left in the cab for the last stretch of the journey, leaving them very vulnerable.

"Not only can illegal and unlicensed minicabs be potential death-traps - you just do not know who you are getting into the cab with."