This Demonstration was called regarding the giving of licences to mini cabs who abuse their remit. Its scandalous, but to then rub salt into the wounds by operating from another nearby venue without having any licence is the pits. and yet we have the legal remit to operate from PCO/TFL approved nearby ranks!
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| Photo by Stormcab. |
This issue touches on so many areas, the Police don't know what to do (yet)....
Therefore, (as touting is a criminal, arrestable offence) we need the Police to work plain clothes and see these illegal activities, whereby the Clipboard Johnnies are approaching people directly in the Street blatantly asking people if they want a mini Cab! (Central London's Green badge Cabbies have been complaining about this issue for many years and still it goes on)
I stopped outside B@1 and told a mini cab guy that his colleague in the high visibility jacket was operating outside the law by standing outside in the Street and approaching people....
His answer was: ''That's ok, he's operating from inside... that's where his Office is'' !!!!
The law is: They MUST operate INSIDE the building and not approach the public on the Street - This is illegal.
We know Dave Allan (local Police officer) is checking furiously the law side of things as we speak and has said he will crack down where it is being abused - He is a fine Officer and a wonderful person really and knowing him for just this brief period - he doesn’t put up with any nonsense ?
(I think when Dave has his answers we sit down with him and discuss how to improve safer travel for people in Richmond).
The law is being abused, but so far no action by the authorities?
We need Richmond Council, Richmond Police, PCO, TOCU and others checking all this out and put a stop to it before our drivers lose their patience and step up the drive ins.
Finally, just to say - I was coming across Richmond Bridge and it was like a scene from a scary movie... there were mini cabs parked facing the wrong way outside Pitcher and Piano with their lights flashing, blocking traffic, without fear of the law - also parked up on the opposite pavements also with their lights flashing (I thought pavements were for people to walk on and they are called pedestrians who use them)
One guy was there for so long it's a wonder his battery didn't fail as his hazards were on forever!
Another guy was parked on Hill Street rank also with his lights flashing, again no action,... there is a clear sign up which states that this is a Taxi rank from 7pm! not a place where mini cabs can park with hazards flashing... I do believe that the only time one should use hazards is if your vehicle has broken down - not to signal to people that you are touting ?
We have now got to the stage where all Richmond drivers will take similar action, but next time, there will be all the drivers involved, not just the forty last night.
People are being urged by TFL(PCO) to use a licensed Taxi or Mini cab and not to use a mini cab that solicits themselves on the Streets, but the above shows the whole thing has got totally out of control.
p.s. We did discuss the topic of touting and Satellite Offices at our recent meeting at the Palestra Bldg and the PCO are aware of all of this and I did receive a reply from Luke Howard that he would instruct his officers to get involved in Richmond - so far nobody has come here; they did arrive in Kingston the previous Friday night as they have serious problems down there.
A meeting was called by drivers for Monday 8pm.
I would stress to our drivers to please hold back on drive-ins, as people are now aware of what's going on, and we have been assured that action will be taken.
Editorial Comment;
Les and Richard, thanks for the email.
This issue is a major problem all over Greater London.
The problem has been made worse by local councils who have an agenda to get the streets clear of late night revilers, some extremely drunk and abusive, by any means possible. The authorities do not care how these people are taking off the streets just as long as they are!
The instances of serious sexual assaults, including rape has been subdued and is currently at an all time high of between 10-12 every month.
TfL have added to this problem by dishing out satellite office licenses like confetti just to raise revenue and have failed dramatically to enforce the legislation that allows these licenses.
Sounds like you have an good relationship with officer Allen.
Good luck with your future actions and please keep us informed.
Thomas the Taxi.
I sometimes think,that by having demos,only agitates the police and they are not the ones we should have a grudge against,I once spent the morning in the public gallery,of the city of london magistrates court,because i knew the touts were appearing there,It was a joke,The first thing they were asked was,"do you need an interpreter"to which most said yes,i felt like shouting you did not need one when you was touting,Then came the excuses,but they all seemed to have borrowed the car because they needed money to feed the kids,[so no car crushing orders could be made],on most cases the touting issue was dropped,and a £100 fine given for no insurance,[which we all know wont be paid].If TFL really want touting to stop,they should get on to these Magistrates,and let them know how dangerous for females/males they are,A simple who does the car belong to,"My sister" should have been answered with okay,we will remand you until tommorow,when you must bring back the paperwork to prove this,if you cant do this you have commited perjury and will be going to prison,That simple,I walked out of that court sick to the pit of my stomach,Watching the touts laughing at the result they had got,Now back to the Police,we all know these touts are mainly tooled up,So how would you feel if you was a copper,And had to approach these guys,knowing full well,that they were going to get away with it,it would make you lose heart surely,and think whats the point,I honestly believe if we are going to demonstrate,we direct it at the courts,and demand they use the strongest punishmen available against the touts,I also think the PCO,should make it a lot more clearer that a minicab has to be pre booked,At the moment they say always use a licenced TAXI or PHV,so how are tourists or anyone for that matter know if they get in a PHV they are uninsured,
ReplyDeleteThere are in excess of 50k police officers in London to deal with crime. The problem is that the crime is allocated to different sectors of police to deal. They will walk past 'crime' because "it is not their job".
ReplyDeleteTOKU (what's their title now?) will never have enough in numbers. There are enough Police Officers to clean up London but only if they bothered. If TOKU is made up of Officers that only await their pensions then it is useless box ticking exercise.
I spoke to one yellow badge driver who said, one of the main reasons behind the demo was the fact that even though Mason has said no more satellite offices from June 1st a new one opened in Richmond last week, so someone is telling lies to us again.
ReplyDeleteMr Mason being 'economical with the truth'!
ReplyDeleteSurely not.
Maybe he could send his new night team of enforcement officers he told the LCDC etc. about.
Ooops forgot they don't yet exist.