In response to concerns from local residents and proprietors, Ealing Borough police conducted a localised initiative in order to clamp down on illegal and unlicensed minicabs, which operate in the Ealing and Acton areas.

The initiative took place on late at night on Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th September and involved eleven officers. It was run as part of the Minicab Safety �Know What you are getting into� campaign.

During this latest initiative officers made eleven arrests over the two nights for numerous offences. All eleven individuals arrested were charged with illegal minicab touting, using a vehicle without proper insurance or driving license. A 35-yr-old man was also charged with using a vehicle without an MOT. Many of the arrests were made outside the Redback Tavern in Acton.

As a result of their appearances at Ealing Magistrates Court, three persons were fined and received periods of disqualification from driving, ranging from 4- 6 months. Of the remaining eight people charged - three received fines, two were given unconditional bail to reappear at Ealing Magistrates in October, one case was withdrawn, one person had his vehicle seized by the courts and one court result is still outstanding.

Sergeant Michael Morris expressed his determination to rid the borough of these cabs and said, �The public should never underestimate the dangers of illegal and unlicensed minicabs. They can often be potential death traps and we would urge people not to use them. Our message is simple � Illegal minicabs are not safe and are definitely not welcome in Ealing Borough. The people that tend to use illegal minicabs do not know whom they are getting into the cab with or the motives of the driver.�


Crime Prevention

Ealing Borough Police have issued the following crime prevention advice to people using taxis at night:

Always get a black cab or pre-book a car through a licensed minicab operator.
Carry the phone number of a minicab company you've used before and trust.
Check that the minicab you ordered is the one you get into.
Check that his operator has given the driver your name and destination.
Always sit in the back and carry a mobile phone.
If you have a problem with the driver of a black cab, make a note of the number on the white plate inside the cab and report it to police or the Public Carriage office.
If you have a problem with a minicab driver remember the car's make and number and report it to police.