Crackdown on touting in the capital

27 May 2015 12:54 PM

TfL'S latest enforcement action to stamp out illegal minicab and taxi activity has resulted in around 330 private hire drivers reported for failing to comply with regulations.

During the first five days of 'Operation Neon', around 600 vehicles were moved from outside clubs and late night venues, eight drivers reported for plying for hire offences and 30 drivers for parking on taxi ranks. More than 70 parking offence tickets were also issued.

Busy London locations such as Swallow Street, Dover Street and Berkeley Street in Mayfair were also kept clear of these vehicles.

Joint enforcement effort

Operation Neon involves TfL enforcement and compliance officials, Metropolitan Police Service officers and Westminster City Council parking attendants and is a highly visible enforcement campaign designed to combat touting and other illegal minicab activity.

The action - which has received positive feedback from the trade associations - will help keep taxi ranks clear for legitimate taxi and private hire drivers. The campaign will continue throughout May and June.

Tout convictions

The operation is part of a range of TfL enforcement actions undertaken with police colleagues. So far it has resulted in a 77% reduction in the number of women approached by touts at the end of a night out in London since 2003.

Since April 2013, the TfL funded Cab Enforcement Unit has reported 148 drivers for unlawfully plying for hire, resulting in a 97% conviction rate of those that have gone to court.

Garrett Emmerson, TfL's chief operating officer for Surface Transport, said: 'We are determined to protect the livelihoods of all legitimate taxi and private hire drivers through robust enforcement action.

'Following engagement with the main trade associations (the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association, the London Cab Drivers Club and UNITE), we will continue to be relentless in enforcing the law through action such as Operation Neon to protect the legitimate trade, improve public safety, promote high levels of compliance and tackle illegality.'