Desperate Darren's Dispatches......by Thomas the Taxi

In a desperate bid to get his profile back in to the public domain, Darren Johnson, unelected London assembly member for the Green Party, has taken a swipe at Mayor Boris Johnson, using the London Taxi trade as a whipping boy.

Seeing the licensed taxi trade as an easy target, he has attempted to start a debate about the mid term inspections that Mayor Boris scrapped last year as totally unnecessary. He published an article in the Evening Standard accusing taxi drivers of failing to maintain their taxi's to a safe standard and called for the reintroducing of the half yearly tests. His article is full of mistakes, his statistics are wrong and the whole report seems to be badly researched. It seems Mark Twain was so right when he said, "there are lies damn lies and statistics".

Councilor Johnson has been out of the the public eye for some time now as Mayor Boris seems to be getting most of the coverage on green issues. Having seen the way the local TV and radio stations took up the story, when Councillor Murad Qureshi had a rant about the hours, London Taxi drivers were assumed to be driving, he has launched his attack, with high hopes that he will receive the same treatment by the media.

Unfortunately this is the problem with proportional representation. The fringe, so called loony parties are given free seats on the assembly. If Screaming Lord Sutch were still alive he would probably be turning up for work at City Hall as well. Read Darren Johnson's article for yourself Click here...

The good news is that no one took up the story as they must have seen it for what it was, rubbish.

I must apologise for the way my comment came across, it seems there is a formatting issue when posting from Microsoft Word, which I use as a spell checker. Editors of Google blogs will understand this problem.

The Eagle has landed, and Operation Nightingale is in the can !...By our man on the front line Steve.

Well folks, it is done. The Eagle has landed, and Operation Nightingale is in the can !

My covert operation against mini cab touts and the lack of their enforcement, is now finished. Many thanks to the BBC for giving us such precious air time, I know that as a trade, we will all be grateful. Going out on Wednesday and Friday night of last week, we managed to get some outstanding footage, and to be honest, I was horrified at what it really is like.

Friday night at Embargo and Crazy Larry's, I sat outside at around the time our chaps were due. In the back of the cab, were the cameraman, reporter and a security consultant from the Parachute Regiment. He was there, simply to protect the cameraman. And he was needed !!

We sat outside the spot, watching what was happening.
At that time at about 01:15, our lads were busy coming back and forth, like little bees, trapping jobs all the time. I could see the touts parked up, and getting the hump about the presence of the licensed cabs "nicking their work" GGRRRRRRR! I wanted to get out the cab and scatter the scummy bastards, but of course, remained professional at all times.

I pointed out the unrest and agitation of one of the touts, and made the reporter and cameraman aware of him. I told them, that in my opinion, it would be this tout, that would give us a decent bit of footage soon, and how right I was ! They zoomed in on him, and waited. He was getting more and more of the hump at our lads pulling up and "nicking his work!" ( yeah, I know. Don't start me off!)

We waited another few minutes and then the exciting stuff happened.
A chap came out of Crazy Larry's, and approached my window, asking me to take him to Wimbledon. Probably as a result of having a few beers, he didn't notice the professional set up in the back of my cab, ie the cameraman with huge camera, headphones etc.
I politely explained that there were "passengers" in my cab, and advised him to wait outside the club door, and within minutes, a licensed London taxi would pick him up.
He did as I had advised, and stood outside the club door.

Then........Bingo ! Our agitated scummmy crook, approaches the guy. I was wired up with sound earpiece and microphone, sellotaped to my back, and running up into my ear. I quickly instructed the camera, that if it looked like a tout deal was about to be struck, I would leap from the cab and confront him. I was praying that one of our own lads, didn't appear at this very moment, as I badly wanted to trap this guy.

My prayers were answered.
The camera and the fantastic microphone on it, picked up the conversation of the illegal touting transaction, and they approached the touts car.I gave the reporter and camera and security the signal that I was getting out in 5 seconds. I counted down on my fingers, and at the same time, all 3 doors of my cab burst open, and I confronted the tout. A heated argument swiftly ensued, as the scum tried to tell me that the green disc on the back of his motor was a "licence" to carry this out. As you may imagine, I was having none of this, and was letting him know it. They would have heard me in Chelsea Harbour !

With that, the doorman, a big lump of middle eastern appearance, attempted to push me away and put his face into mine. He was screaming at the top of his voice, that they were "his" drivers and worked for him. After telling him that this is illegal, I explained to him the error of his ways and the fact that his breath smelt like shite. So there we stood, both around 6 foot 3 , neither of us, giving an inch ! At this stage, the security back up were getting concerned, as the tout was trying to push the camera away. I instructed security to deal with the actions of the tout, and I would have the doorman.

Without spoiling the surprise, this carried on for about 10 minutes, and take it from me as I have seen it, it was ten minutes of blinding footage. The expertise of the cameraman was superb, especially as this was quite a hairy moment.

Our next port of call was Nobu.
We got Ponytail and the clipboard, blatantly coming out to a tout, saying " there's 5 for Stratford, gimmee 20 quid" The black tout of Kenyan/Ghana nationality, hands over the score, and off they go. All on film ! I have got WCC Parking attendants, walking up to the fat Egyptian in the silver Merc, and laughing and joking, as if they were long lost brothers. AND whilst double parked illegally. All on film !

Next, we tried to get to Tiger Tiger, but due to an accident, the Haymarket was closed, and we were forced into Coventry Street. I noticed an obvious tout car further down the road, and again, alerted the crew. I instinctively knew he would try to pick up. We followed him into Shaftesbury Avenue.........Bosh !

I again jumped out, crew in tow, and prevented the young lady from getting in the touts car. The driver half fancied a row, but when he saw the film crew his bottle went, and he bolted. We then plotted up outside Ronnie Scotts, and got some great footage. I got home at 6 in the morning, absolutely knackered, but delighted at our efforts. We really do have some blinding footage of touting offences in London.

I tell you who we couldn't get any film of though..........TOCU !
I wonder why that was. Maybe they were hidden undercover somewhere, or not there at all.....who knows. Incidental, the "leading mini cab" company initially invited to give their views did not turn up for the research meetings, so were not included in the documentary. That's a shame, isn't it . The editor has told me that hopefully, a clip of the filming may be shown on BBC London news, sometime this week, and the rest of it all, sometime next month. She reminded me though, that as with all this stuff, preference is given to national importance of news stories.

So we shall have to keep our fingers crossed, as to when the whole thing goes out. I would like to give eternal thanks to the crew of the BBC that I worked with, it really was a pleasure. As for me, I hope you agree that it is job done as far as this little bit of business is concerned.

The fight goes on though.
We have much to do. Well done you guys at Embargo last Friday night. I had a lump in my throat watching you. It really was effective. May I say, that the real heroes here, are of course, the night driving colleagues of ours, who night after night, have to put up with these appalling conditions on the streets of our capital, simply because of lack of proper enforcement.

I have no personal issues with TOCU, only professional ones. They are simply not punching above their weight, and it is a free for all out there. Incidentally, I also managed to get damming footage of the pedi cab epidemic, with dangerous riding, no lights etc etc.The film crew could not believe the authorities were letting it happen.

On a personal note, I was embarrassed to be a Londoner last night.
That wasn't the London I want to be associated with. It is writhing and thriving on the absolute filth from every country in the world. That is not diversity and freedom, that is simply abuse and unfair advantage. It is bringing London and Londoners into disrepute, and quite frankly, is a disgrace.

Well done to ex Mayor Ken Livingstone.
You have achieved your dream, and the centre of London in the dark hours, now resembles a third world country. Our poverty and lack of control, is on display for the world to see. What a shame, what a terrible shame. Meanwhile, to celebrate our efforts, I am going to have a nice fried breakfast, and a big mug of tea. After that, I'm gonna try and get my model wife to put her Jimmy Choo high heels on and yellow and red dress, and sit and read the papers in bed. I like anything like that........................ Take care all. God Bless and be lucky.
Steve.


If you feel as strongly as Steve about this problem and want to do something to help, then join in the LTDF email campaign............Click Here

New man takes the reigns at the PCO....by Thomas The Taxi

John Mason has been appointed as the new Director of Taxi and Private Hire at the Public Carriage Office.

Previously he was the Deputy Director for Congestion Charging and Traffic Enforcement.

Mason will takes up his role today, 28 September 2009, taking over from Ed Thompson and in a recent interview in the taxi globe said;

“I am delighted to have this great opportunity to join the Public Carriage Office. This is a unique opportunity to work with the taxi and private hire trades, whose members provide such a vital service to the Capital. London’s taxi and private hire services are already the best in the World and I'm looking forward to working with the trade to provide an even better service for Londoners. I'm sure members of the trade won't hesitate to give me their views.”

John came across to TfL from Westminster City Council where he was in charge of parking enforcement. It was under his watch that we first started to see wardens ignoring parking contraventions by private hire drivers, so it will be interesting to see what he intends to do about the present situation regarding mini cabs illegally ranking outside venues.
He has had plenty of time to look at all the issues the trade is facing and we at the Anderson Shelter think it would be a good idea if he published a list of his goals and objectives, that he hopes to achieve in his new position.

Some questions we would like answers to:

• What does he want for our trade?


• Where does he stand on the issue of Private Hire Waiting area's?
  
• Will he encourage enforcement of the touting laws currently being ignored outside venues in the Capital?

We hope that the London Licensed Taxi trade can look forward to a pleasant friendly relationship with the new head and can go forward into the future, providing the same first class service this city expects and receives from the trade.

Jeroen Weimar, TfL’s Chief Operating Officer for Enforcement and Compliance, said:

“John will take forward the already excellent work of the PCO, with a focus on delivering the Mayor’s key objective of cracking down on illegal taxi touts.”

Lets hope he does a better job than Jeroen Weimar has been doing, because at the moment its just not good enough.

TfL's Agenda to Harmonise the Taxi Industry by 2014.... By Thomas the Taxi

For nearly a decade now, the Licensed cab trade has been bemused, at the apparent ease in which the private hire sector, get what ever they apply for.

No if and buts, no planing applications and no years of negotiating. Lines have become blurred, laws not enforced and regulations turned into guide lines.
We have seen PHV drivers being allowed to use the royal parks (still unlawful no matter how petty),
carry livery on windows, bodywork and roofs (unlawful, even though TfL have given permission , they do not have the right under law to change or amend acts of parliament),
allowed to park in bus lanes, on yellow lines, red routs and now they have been told by an officer of TfL (referring to a book written by a Derbyshire solicitor)
they can wait to be hired or rank as we call it, outside any club, pub, bar, hotel or restaurant they fancy.
Case law says this is illegal.

Even the Metropolitan police are refusing to enforce the laws that are broken every day by unscrupulous private hire operators.
While the London Taxi trade is regulated and enforced rigorously, drivers are amazed at the apparent lack of enforcement shown to our competition.

Some time ago, Martin Low appealed to the trade to help get the public home from the West End at the weekend. We responded by increasing the number of drivers on night work and working longer hours over the two days when a short fall had been taking place.
For our efforts we were rewarded by the sight of police protected mini cab ranks, areas set aside for death trap rickshaw bikes, no enforcement of licensed taxi ranks and to top it all, Westminster's wardens and enforcement camera operators started to victimise licensed taxi drivers.

Why is this happening to a trade that has been voted the Best Taxi Service in the World on numerous occasions.

We have for some time felt that Ken Livingston and friends at TfL had an agenda to harmonise the two trades into one service, even after his ejection from the post we have felt that officers still loyal to Ken are carrying on his plans.
And now, hidden in plain view buried in the deaths of the TfL web site, we find we have not been wrong.

By the year 2014, TfL are planning to re-invent the Taxi trade in London by offering a "Bronze, Silver and Gold type Private Hire service. Bronze will be drivers from 0-3 years service, Silver 3-6, with Gold 6 and over. As driver achieve a certain status they will be offered incentives, the better there service, the more incentives they will receive. Licensed taxis will be sidelined as icons from the past.

How will this type of service operate?

In our opinion...
Bronze service drivers with up to three years service, will be drivers who can only work from radio bookings.
Silver drivers, three to six years service, will be able to use special waiting areas (ranks) set up at stations, hotels and busy shopping areas in the Capital.
Gold service, six years and over, will be able to ply for hire all over London.

Lets not forget, Ed Thompson, the only officer from TfL who publicly said "only Licensed Black Cabs will be able to ply for hire and that's the way its going to stay" has been removed.

TfL do not possess the right to amend laws appertaining to Hackney carriage and yet they have on many occasions done just this.
They have spoken to enforcement agencies on behalf of the private hire sector and ask them to take a lenient view with respect of illegal ranking and the use of the Royal Parks.
When cab drivers have complained they have called our bluff. "Take us to court" they say, knowing full well that the cab trade has only one representative body with sufficient funds to be able to do this. This is a case we would win but unfortunately the LTDA are not interested in saving the trade.

While this situation escalates the General secretary of the LTDA, the only association with the funds to take TfL to court, sits on his hands and stays silent.
Is that the price of an MBE these days?
...............................................................................................

The Anderson Shelter would like to take this opportunity to thank Paul, for the hours of research you have put in, to make this post possible.

Killer slung off the Knowledge... Common sense prevails...by Thomas the taxi

A paranoid schizophrenic killer will not be allowed to study to become a black-cab driver following protests from taxi drivers.

The 38 year old man who has been named in the Mail on line, strangled his wife in 2000 and was jailed indefinitely for manslaughter in 2001.

After his release he was allowed to become a Licensed Mini cab driver and signed on to do the knowledge.

After complaints from a former PCO employee, the RMT broke the story with the help of Andrew Gilligan in the Evening Standard and made formal complaints to the PCO, TfL and the Mayor, Boris Johnson.

TfL/PCO have finally seen sense and have now removed the killer from the Knowledge, because of his criminal history.

This massive U-Turn came after the RMT organised hundred's of drivers to demonstrate outside the PCO in Penton street and asked drivers from the LTDF, the Anderson Shelter and the LTCPR to participate in an email campaign, to inform the licensing authority, MP's and London assembly members, just how strongly the trade felt about this issue which, if left unchecked could destroy the faith that Londoner's place on their safety when embarking on a journey in a Licensed Black Cab.

John kennedy of the RMT also organised a campaign on Twitter, for drivers to contact transport minister, Sadiq Khan and Mayor Boris Johnson.

Two weeks ago, after the demo on the 4th of September, the trade was stunned as Chief Operating Officer at TfL Jeroen Weimar appeared of national TV, to defend TfL's position. Mr Weimar assured the public this man would be perfectly safe as long as he took his medication. As Mr Weimar was speaking, news was breaking of another paranoid schizophrenic killer who had been released back into the community and again killed twice.

No action seemed to be taking place on behalf of TfL, and so a second, bigger demonstration was organised. Plans were put into place to make this a regular occurrence until TfL came to their senses.

Surprisingly enough after the second demo Mr Weimar came out again and defended the wife murderer even though it had now become clear that he was working, unbelievably, as a minicab driver and had been cautioned for assaulting his own daughter.

Today's announcement is a complete U-Turn on behalf of TfL, who have announced plans to tighten the guidelines for licensing taxi and private hire drivers in London.

In future, taxi and private hire licences will not be granted to applicants who have been convicted for serious or violent offences, unless there are exceptional mitigating circumstances.

Lets hope the exceptional mitigating circumstances don't include murder...

John Griffin Orders driver to break the law on BBC News....by Thomas the Taxi

"When its safe to do so, get in to the bus lane" John Griffin tells Driver of PHV.


TfL sit back and do nothing as John Griffin breaks the law.

First he told his drivers to ignore the fact that they were not allowed to use the royal parks.
This was backed up By Ed Thompson and Luke Howard, officers from TfL and the PCO who bent over backwards to contact the policing authority to ask them not to enforce the law in respect of Private Hire drivers.

Next John Griffin ignores Tfl/PCO guide lines which set the dimensions of the livery displayed on rear windows in PHV's. The PCO and TfL refuse to enforce these guide lines as they say, Unlike the Licensed Taxi trade, which is governed strictly by acts of Parliament, the private hire trade is governed mostly by guide lines that are quite flexible (according to Luke Howard and Co).

The Licensed Taxi Trade had to get an act of parliament changed to be allowed to use the royal parks bearing livery. Private hire vehicles, covered with adverts on roofs and rear windows now enjoy the same right, although it it still unlawful for them to be in the royal parks in the first place.

Now John Griffin orders his driver on BBC TV to break the law.
Click Here to watch the video

Why has the PCO and TfL stood back and done nothing?
.................................................................................................

TfL Fit For Purpose?

It takes approximately two years to get a licensed taxi rank authorised by TfL/PCO.
TfL tell mini cabs, it is lawful to wait and be available for immediate hire outside hotels, clubs and night venues all over London. They say this doesn't constitute a PHV rank as the cars are just parked!.....

TfL have now allowed a convicted wife murderer, to become a private hire driver and sign on to do the knowledge. A spokesman for TfL said this man is quite safe, as long as he takes his medication!
This man has subsequently been cautioned by police for a serious assault on his own daughter.
As far as we know this man is still driving a PHV. Are we to wait till he kills again?

Time to Take the responsibility for licensing away from TfL as they have shown on many occasions they are not fit for purpose?

Would this situation have occurred if we were still under the watchful eye of the Metropolitan Police?

Westminster still giving tickets to licensed taxis on rank....by Thomas The Taxi

Westminster Parking Services are still giving tickets to Licensed Taxi's on the rank outside Tiger Tiger in the Haymarket.
.
According to one of this countries leading legal brains on the subject of parking law, Neil Herron, as WPS know the rank is in place and is a legal place for licensed taxi's to wait to be hired, the fact that they demand money from working drivers by means of a threatened prosecution, (demanding money with menace), is in itself an act of fraud.
.
If you wish to make your feelings clear to Mr Martin Low, Westminster's head of transport, who is ultimately responsible for the actions of their wardens, go to John Kennedy's blog and join in the carry on ranking campaign.
.
You will find a template email which you can copy or just use the email address to send in your own thoughts on the matter.
.
Perhaps you would like to know why the scabs who constantly use our rank do not receive tickets outside this venue and why they are allowed to park on the licensed taxi rank in Jermyne street.

Click here and send off an email today.

LTDA Members...... Think you have this covered?

Just found out through the LTDF, that Mr Masset your highly paid ranks and highways man has no knowledge of the situation unfolding outside this venue. Well after all he is a day man!

But what of the two LTDA members who have recieved tickets!
Have they not spoken to Mr Masset then?

Photo by Mark White.

Met Police finally start doing what we pay them to do....By Thomas the Taxi

A couple of weeks ago just before I left these shores for my annual holiday, I wrote to every top police officer I could find an email address for, to complain about the amount of touting and illegal plying for hire in the West End at night.

So far most seemed to have passed the buck saying that I should contact Westminster Parking services or the TOCU squad top brass, Chief Superintendent Royle. The later I did, but it seems, like so many others in positions of power, its beneath the man to answer his own emails.

So in due course, I got a reply from his PA Insp. David brown.
Whilst admitting to the problem, I received a detail account of all the high profile work they have done over the past year. To tell you the truth, I think the unit has been a complete waist of tax payers money and will be expressing this view in a letter to the mayor Boris Johnson later this week.

The amount of arrests made against the resources they use just isn't value for money.

As they will not be advised by our trade, they insist in picking area's for police stops that are easily avoided by illegal touts who now use twitter and a text base service to stay one step ahead of the Tocu squad.

Recently over a weekend in Bayswater Road and Berkeley Street they stopped well over 250 mini cabs but only manage 24 arrests. The majority of these arrests were outside the Funky Buddha and Nobu venues. It is a fact that only around 20% of arrest, actually make it to Court for prosecution and conviction, so lets just say around 5 touts were properly nicked.

That's over fifty officers and support team, over two shifts and only 5 prosecutions, Value for money?

Most of the officers I have spoken to outside Funky Buddha have no knowledge of TFL guild lines or recent press releases and are very sketchy on PHV law. Most will turn up with a reference on a piece of paper given to them by a desk Sargent.

Still it seems that our message is getting through to other departments. Finally tonight, the Met police, Tocu squad and Community Support Officers patrolled hot spots to tackle touting and other cab related issues. Although I was not present to see this I received many emails and texts from drivers amazed to see "Old Bill" doing what we pay them to do, enforcing the Law.

Email sent to Chief Superintendent Royle....By Mark White

On the early hours of the 15th of August a group of Taxi drivers reclaimed the Taxi rank outside the Night Club "Tiger,Tiger" in the Haymarket. That was just under a month ago. Tonight, I had a run in with three of the Private Hire Drivers who regularly tout outside the Club.

I pulled onto the back of the Taxi Rank (which had about 4 Taxis already on it) at around 2am and was approached by a young Asian lady who wanted to know if I could quote her a price for a journey to Barking? I politely pointed out that it was a Taxi Rank and that she needed to talk to the first Driver so as to avoid any confusion over the price that she may have to pay at the end of the journey. She was in a group of 4 Asian people, 2 Male and 2 Female. Around 5 minutes later, she was led with her friends, across the road by an Asian man, after he spoke to her on the pavement quite a distance outside the Club.

Crossing the road I approached the young lady and explained that if she and her friends had not pre-booked the vehicle she would not be insured on her journey as the Driver, who had parked on the Taxi Rank outside No1. Jermyn street SW1, was only licensed for Pre-booked trips. The Driver claimed that he was Pre-booked and worked for 'Diamond Cars' and the passengers had made a booking (is it possible to check?).

However, one of the passengers said that was not true and wanted to know if what I was saying was, in fact, the case. I believe the phrase he used was something along the lines of "What's the Scenario, Dude....is my man here telling the truth; we didn't book you!??" Eventually, the passengers got out and talked amongst themselves whilst I took photos of the driver (TT II 001.)and his vehicle (TT II 002.).

I returned to the Taxi Rank and moved my Cab up a space or two. I was now the second Taxi on the rank, when the first Taxi Driver approached me to ask if I wanted to take some young people to Queensbury, near Stanmore. I spoke to 3 young men and a young lady and told them an approximation of the Fare based on the distance one of the group had looked up on his I-Phone. They decided to discuss their options, when two minutes later, a large African man, who I recognised from the early hours of August the 15th (he has a twin brother who claims to be the Operator, and was spoken to by Sergeant Vincent of TOCU.) led them across the road to the same Taxi Rank in Jermyn Street. As I crossed the road I saw the first Private Hire Driver coming out of the Street opposite "Tiger, Tiger" with the 4 Asian people in his car.

The 4 Passengers going to Queensbury were now getting into a Red Car, (TT II 003.) as I approached. I opened the rear door and cautioned the group that if they had not Pre-booked this vehicle the driver would be breaking the Law and putting them at risk by driving with no insurance. One of the group said that he was not going to be a party to that and got out. As I took the Drivers picture, he tried to drive away but stalled the car (TT II 004.)

As I turned to walk away, another Driver, who regularly touts at the Club using the Taxi Rank in Jermyn Street (they try to legitimise their operation by parking on a space with the word "Taxi" clearly marked on the Roadway), pulled on to the Rank. I told him that it was a Taxi Rank and he was abusive to me, so I took his picture (TT II 005.). As I walked to the back of his vehicle to take a photo of his Registration (I have sent Martin Low, Director of Transport at Westminster Council, and the PCO, a copy on the night of the 14th/15th previously.) the Private Hire Driver got out of his vehicle and shouted at me that it was illegal to take his photo. I told him that there was no such Law in this Country, and that CCTV takes his picture regularly. He made a lunge at me, pushing me in the chest (which I believe is Common assault) and tried to grab the camera, almost knocking it out of my hand (TT II 006.)! I told him to take his hands off me to which he responded that he would "F*****g punch me!". I told him that he was 'pushing his luck' and took a step back and turned sideways. He backed off to his vehicle and I took a picture of his Registration (TT II 007).

I will not be intimidated by a bunch of Private Hire Drivers who regularly break the Law at this venue by touting and who think that they can do as they please. It was this man's lucky night. I am 6' and 16 stone and regularly work with the Visiting supporters at one of London's Premiership Football Grounds. If I can stand in front of 7,500 Cardiff fans, one Private Hire Driver won't be too hard. However,should I feel threatened by this man invading my personal space again, I will take pre-emptive measures to defend myself, just as I have been trained to do! That may mean taking his picture to record his details, calling the Police, or hitting him with equal measure!

However, in the same respect, I should not have to try to protect my work from being stolen from me. I trained long and hard to become a Taxi Driver. This is the start of my 25th year and I will fight to protect my living!!! The low and uneven standards that are adopted by the Public Carriage Office in licensing Private Hire are damaging the Taxi Trade enough. But I will not let these Drivers illegally compete with me and steal my work. If they want to ply for hire or take immediate hiring's then they must do the 'Knowledge of London' and drive a purpose built vehicle like I do!!!

Taxi Drivers will be forced to take the Law into their own hands to protect their living!

I have copied in my Member of Parliament and my GLA Member; I would hope that they will make representations on my behalf to make sure that these illegal practices are stopped and that TOCU are given adequate resources to enforce the Law on the streets of London. Otherwise we will have anarchy and Taxi Drivers will be forced to take the Law into their own hands to protect their living! I will also be forwarding the details on to my Union, the RMT and asking them to make representations on my behalf.

I look forward to hearing what the Public Carriage Office, Transport for London and Westminster Council propose to do about the illegal activities that the Private Hire drivers who work for 'Diamond Cars' get up to at "Tiger,Tiger". I have tried my hardest to get the Police Officer responsible for the Safer Neighbourhood Team in this area (St.James/Mayfair) to talk to me, however, one of his colleagues told me that the the Officer in question believes this is a low priority... is that until one of us gets stabbed!??

Many years ago, I stood on the pavement talking to a young Police Inspector about the same issues in Cranbourne street WC2. It was shortly after a demonstration by Taxi Drivers in the early hours of the morning. It eventually took about 12 years before Mr Ali's illegal mini cab operation was closed down. I have attached the article from 'the Times'; it seems that nothing has changed and if anything life as a Taxi Driver is harder.

Oh, by the way, that young Inspector was called Chris Allinson....I believe he is now the Deputy Assistant Commissioner. I shall be visiting my MP on Monday and asking him to make sure DAC Allinson gets a hard copy of this email.

I also read tonight in a Taxi Trade Magazine, that Westminster Council's CCTV system is currently switched off. What do Westminster Council propose to do in the meantime; or are they too busy making up mad-cap voluntary schemes to license Pedi-Cab drivers???

Read Insp. David Browns reply click here...

Killer in taxi row already driving Mini Cab

Shamsul Haque, 38, a paranoid schizophrenic, strangled his wife nine years ago. He later admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Read more: Click here for full story background

A killer who was allowed to study to become a black cab driver on his release is working as a minicab driver, Transport for London (TfL) confirmed.

Hundreds of black-cab drivers have held a demonstration in a continuing protest against a convicted killer being allowed to train as a cabbie.

Click Here for Video

The media's view.
Daily Mail
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-....ab-driver.htm l

Associated Press
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/arti....cDtLNAD9AKJ4480
The Times
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6829305.ece

and The Taiwan News (???
http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=1054118&lang=eng_news

LBC.
http://www.lbc.co.uk/taxi-protest-against-killers-black-cab-test-12885

The Standard
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23741713-details/Wife+killer+is+already+at+work+driving++a+minicab/article.do

Nick Love's The Firm out nationwide on Friday

The moment is finally here. Nick Love's The Firm is out nationwide on Friday.
Go see what the critics are calling "This year's must see film."
For news, info and exclusive content, visit the official website at:
www.thefirm84.com

Also pre-order your copy of the must have book
The Firm (The Fashion, The Firms, The Film)
at www.thefirm84.com

Staring the Anderson shelter's own film corespondent Jason.

RMT Back at the PCO !

Yes the RMT specialist transport union is heading back to Penton Street to demand a public inquiry into the actions of the managers of transport for London and the Public Carriage Office decision to allow a convicted killer onto the knowledge of London.

Please attend at 2.00 pm on Thursday 10th September 2009 outside the PCO Penton Street N1.

This is united trade action and is supported by all trade unions and friendly societies, RMT London taxi branch, Unite (formerly TGWU), LTDA and the LCDC, plus the London taxi drivers forum and the online lobby Ltcpr.

SAVE THE FINEST TAXI TRADE IN THE WORLD JOIN THE RMT AND DEMAND A PUBLIC INQUIRY...

Protest over killer taxi studies

More than one hundred London taxi drivers have demonstrated against a paranoid schizophrenic killer being allowed to study to become a black-cab driver.

Click Here for Video

Another important aspect of this story broke while the demo was taking place.

This driver received a police caution for a violent attack on a female three months ago.

This is unbelievable and still Jeroen Weimar stands up in front of the BBC news cameras outside Windsor House, admits that this incident is known to him and still tries to defend TfL's position in letting this killer continue on the knowledge.

What does this man have to do to be excluded, Become a Mass Murderer?

Murderer named...... Stop Press

Stop Press
Murderer named in the Mail on line
http://bit.ly/uYQGB

George Vyse - a member of the RMT union's cab drivers' committee - added: 'I cannot believe this is happening and nobody on the committee can either. If some action is not taken, I am sure the RMT will take it.'

And take it they will
The London taxi branch of the RMT is asking you attend a demonstration outside the PCO on Friday the 4th Sept 09 at 2 pm !

Join the email campaign now Click here

The Anderson shelter have received reports that this man has been cautioned for assault in the last three months!
What the hell is happening at TfL, what are they up to?

Murderer on the Knowledge?

It has been bought to the attention of The Anderson Shelter, that a paranoid schizophrenic, convicted of murdering his wife in 2001, has been allowed to sign on for the Knowledge of London.

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An Official from the RMT phoned the carriage office to find out if they were aware of this mans record, but the assistant head of the PCO, Mary Dowdye, would not comment and eventually hung up.

This man who cannot be named for legal reasons, strangled his wife in 2000 was convicted under the mental heath act and ordered to be detained indefinitely in 2001. He was subsequently released in October 2003.

Unconfirmed reports have stated, that this man first applied to become a PHV driver, but was turned down because of his record. He appealed in court, in connection with PH licence application rejection, but lost the case.

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Strangly enough, after being deemed an unfit person to hold a PHV license by the PCO plus a magistrates court, he applied to become a knowledge student and was accepted.

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There are certain questions that the PCO/TfL need to answer, in order to stop this situation becoming a major embarrassment.

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Did they know of this mans record before he signed on the knowledge?

Did it show up in his CRO check and if not, why?

Was the murder committed here, or in another country?

Is he to be allowed to carry on in light of these allegations?

Under whose authority was this man taken on to the Knowledge?

Just a handful of questions that the licensed taxi trade would like answered.

The RMT union said the decision to allow him to study for the exams was a "massive failure" of procedures.

Transport for London (TfL) insisted "checks and balances" were in place.

The Anderson Shelter tried to contact Bob Oddy in his capacity as a member of the board of TfL but he was unavailable for comment!

A situation of this kind would never have happened if London's licensed taxi's were still administered under the authority of the Metropolitan police.

Since TfL took over the responsibility for the licensing of taxis and mini cab (PHV's) there has been numerous issue's, as TfL officials try to harmonise (blend together) the two completely different services.

Even with the removal of a Mayor, who wanted to give mini cabs the right to ply for hire, a team of top officials at TfL are still carrying through his agenda.

Its time for the Licensed Taxi Trade to brake away from the grip of TfL

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This story is breaking big time in the trade and national press.

Read the article in the Evening Standard by Andrew Gilligan Click here

Also see BBC report Click here