With the Christmas weekend starting and New Year's Eve just around the corner residents have been warned not to gamble with their safety by using unlicensed minicabs.

The party season is in full swing and Richmond upon Thames council has launched a borough-wide safer travel at night campaign to alert people to the dangers of using unlicensed cabs.

A total of 50,000 beer mats and 1,000 posters, promoting the safety message, have been circulated to local pubs, bars, colleges and university sites in the borough.
The posters give details of the latest "Cabwise" campaign, a new message service developed by the Greater London Authority (GLA), Transport for London (TfL) and the Metropolitan Police.

Anyone who sends a text message saying HOME to 60835 will be sent the numbers of one licensed taxi and two local licensed minicab companies.

Coun David Trigg, Richmond council cabinet member for transport, said: "Although the Christmas and New Year party season is almost upon us, the safety message is, of course, one people must heed all-year-round.

"By getting into an unlicensed cab you're taking a huge gamble.

"Not only are many of them death traps, you could also be exposed to a risk of attack with many assaults on passengers reported in London every year.

"Our message is always use licensed cabs and the Cabwise service will give you the names of reputable ones so you can travel in confidence and safety."

Personal alarms have been distributed to colleges and university sites in the borough as part of the safety drive.

The scheme has been welcomed by personal safety charity, The Suzy Lamplugh Trust, and Richmond Police.

Julie Bentley, chief executive of The Suzy Lamplugh Trust, said: "Unlicensed cabs are dangerous.

"People need to be aware that if they get into one they increase the risk to their personal safety.

"We at The Suzy Lamplugh Trust realise that people need to get home at night, but there are safer ways of doing it.

"The work being done by Richmond council is commendable and we hope that people will take its message to heart."

Chief Superintendent Ian Edwards, Richmond borough commander, added: "It is illegal for anybody to approach you offering a journey for payment.

"Although they may appear to offer cheap fares, these drivers are uninsured and their vehicles are often poorly maintained. Travel in safety and always use a licensed operator."

For more information about the initiative and other travel awareness campaigns in the borough, contact Gemma Hunt or Salesh Kapur at Richmond council on 8831 6391.
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