WIREDGOV

MORE than 170 arrests have been made for cab-related offences during two crackdowns as part of Operation Safer Travel at Night.

The arrests were the result of targeted action against unbooked minicabs (also known as touts or illegal cabs) and other cab-related offences to reduce the number of cab-related sexual offences across the Capital.

Our Cabwise app - which helps people book licensed cabs - saw download figures double to 53,000 during the festive period. Total downloads now stand at 92,000 since its launch in 2012.

Teams also visited around 50 bars, pubs and clubs in hotspot locations, talking to around 55,000 people and handing out 138,000 information leaflets on how to get home safely.

Steve Burton, TfL's Director of Enforcement and On-Street Operations, said: 'Unbooked minicabs put the travelling public at risk and we are committed to cracking down on this illegal and unsafe activity. TfL, working with the police, will continue to push for the strongest penalties for thosecaught acting unlawfully.'

Safer Travel at Night is a joint initiative by the TfL-funded Metropolitan Police Service's Safer Transport Command and City of London Police.

Safety first
By booking a cab directly with the minicab operator, you guarantee that your trip will be carried out by a licensed, insured driver in a licensed, insured vehicle. It also means that a record is kept of your journey, your driver and the vehicle used so in the event of any problems the driver can be traced.

Visit tfl.gov.uk/cabs to find out more