Police's Roads & Transport Policing Command targets Freshers Week
Hundreds of officers from across the Metropolitan Police Service's Roads and Transport Policing Command will target taxi and minicab touts as Freshers events are held for students across the Capital.
Police officers and Transport for London's Taxi and Private Hire compliance officers will be speaking to students, particularly women, to deliver the simple message that any minicab that is not booked through a licensed minicab operator is potentially very dangerous and puts them at risk of attack. This can include sexual assault and robbery.
The three key messages being delivered to students are:
- If you approach a minicab driver directly, it's not booked and it's not safe. Always book with a minicab company.
- If a bouncer hails you a minicab on the street, it's not booked and it's not safe. Always book with a minicab company.
- Even if your minicab has a licence sticker, it's not safe unless it's booked. Always book with a minicab company.
In addition to the engagement work, plain clothes officers will be targeting touts trying to take advantage of students out enjoying Freshers events.
Chief Superintendent Matt Bell, Roads and Transport Policing Command, said: "The Roads and Transport Policing Command is committed to reducing the number of cab-related sexual offences. Our officers will be on the streets during this years Freshers period to give students safe travel information to ensure they have safe and secure journeys home."
September 19, 2014