Tiger Tiger...The Answer is ?....By Thomas the Taxi

On the 29th of June 2007, two car bombs were left in strategic positions to cause as much carnage as possible. One of the cars, a green Mercedes was left sitting illegally parked in the 24 hour bus lane, on a Bus Stand outside the night venue Tiger Tiger. The bombers had obviously done their homework.Mini cabs had been unlawfully ranking and touting outside this bar/restaurant for many years without being hassled by wardens or police. So the discovery of a car bomb would be very unlikely.
Only by the grace of God and the incompetence of the bomb makers were massive fatalities and injuries averted.
Ever since this incident, the Anderson Shelter has campaigned to get the authorities to act in a reasonable way that will stop this scenario recurring. We have had limited success with the placement of an extended Taxi rank outside the premises. Unfortunately to this day, after many broken promises from Martin Low and Robin Gillis, the rank remains un-marked.

Earlier this year TfL placed Marshals at this rank, but told them they must not get involved with the policing of the rank and that they have no authority to confront the touts who still illegally rank here night after night. So the problem continues.

But hold on.... we have in the past seen other marshalled ranks in this area, they have always been accompanied by a police officer or two. In fact we have been told, the new Golden Fare Rank soon to go live in Coventry Street may have police or PCSO officers there with the marshal for security.

So what makes this location different, why do we not have police cover with the marshals on the two nights they are at this location?

We have been informed that Westminster Parking services have no power to enforce parking at this location this is not the case as their own manual states that parking on a licensed taxi rank is a code 45 contravention. This location also has double yellow lines, a bus stand and is in fact on a 24 hour bus lane.

Something else that applies to this case is that when PHV's park on a licensed Taxi rank, they form an impromptu, unauthorised rank. As only licensed Taxis have the right under law to ply for hire from a licensed standing (a Rank) , their act is judged to be a contravention of the Hackney carriage act and makes their actions a criminal act, not a Civil offence or a parking contravention.

Last night I pulled on to the back of the six licensed PHV touts, who habitually rank outside Tiger Tiger.
I then flagged down a passing police van who then pulled over and moved the touts on.
This situation has been going on too long. It is disgusting the way the authorities (Licensing and local council) have handled the tout problem at this venue, in the wake of the car bomb episode.
Most of the 143 serious sexual assaults have taken place in un-booked minicab journeys emanating from this area.

Three years of campaigning, complaining and militant action, have produced little or no results.
The question has to be asked...Why?

Peter Hendy, Joe Royle, John Mason, Martin Low and even our own man on the board of TfL, Bob Oddy, how do you sleep at night?
Your inaction has directly resulted in hundreds of rapes, serious sexual assaults and personal robberies.
It could, in the very near future result in the deaths of very many people.
You are all an utter disgrace to the office you hold....

Thomas the Taxi (James Thomas)

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