(posted 7991 days ago)Blitz on minicab cowboy drivers
Jun 18 2002ONE DRINK-DRIVING, ANOTHER USING BANNED CAR
By Peter Harrison, South London PressA MAJOR police blitz to target unlicensed minicab drivers led to seven arrests.
One driver was using a vehicle already banned, another was found to be over the drink-drive limit in the roadblock in Kennington Park Road, Kennington, on Friday evening.
Plain clothes officers arrested and charged a further three minicab drivers for illegally touting for business.
Also a further 22 cars were deemed unfit to be on the road - some were discovered with faulty brakes, faulty steering or bald tyres.
The swoop was part of the Met's Operation Conduit which is aiming to track down unlicensed minicab drivers.
Borough Inspector Stuart Trayler said he was 'amazed' at what he and his officers saw on the roads.
He said: "Friday's operation was a major success.
"We made a number of arrests and took even more cars off the road because they were unfit to be driven.
"I have worked in the police service for 20 years, but what I saw on Friday night was certainly an eye- opener."
Fifty drivers will receive a summons for non-payment of road tax.
As well as driving offences, DSS benefit fraud officers found up to 12 minicab drivers were working while claiming benefits for unemployment - they volunteered to sign off on the spot or face threat of prosecution.
Tony Ellis, of the Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association, said: "We back this campaign all the way.
"This is about improving the quality of people's lives on the streets."
He added: "There are so many attacks on people who use unlicensed cabs, especially women."
He said people should avoid using drivers who simply tout for business at the roadside but did not carry a licence.
And Mr Ellis warned further road blocks were planned in the crackdown against these people in areas across south London renowned for touts.