Written question asked by Andrew Rosindell (Conservative) on Wednesday, 29 April 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 5 May 2009. It was answered by Paul Clark (Labour) on Tuesday, 5 May 2009 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Taxis: Crime

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that drivers of minicabs operating illegally are (a) apprehended and (b) prosecuted.

Answer: In order to provide a lawful private hire vehicle service in London, it is necessary for the operator and the driver and the vehicle to be licensed by Transport for London (TfL). Responsibility for enforcing the law in respect of drivers operating illegally rests with TfL and the Metropolitan police. They carry out this responsibility jointly through the Transport Operational Command Unit (TOCU).The Government have taken steps to facilitate the enforcement task. In 2003 regulations were made which listed taxi touting as a recordable offence, allowing for the finger-printing of offenders and the taking of DNA and photographs.

Secondary information