Sadiq Khan quadruples illegal taxi tackling team in London

Sadiq Khan has agreed to provide funds for a significant expansion of the Transport for London (TfL) team that deals with touting and illegal activity concerning taxi and private hire trades.

An extra 250 Compliance Officers will be added and deployed in the next 12 months to patrol London’s streets and crack down on illegal activity and improve safety.

The Mayor’s move multiplies the unit fourfold allowing it to maintain a more visible, uniformed presence in the West End, City and other areas across London.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I want Londoners to feel safe when they take a taxi or minicab and that is why I have approved a major increase to the size of our team that targets touts and illegal activities."

Khan added that there would be more to come for the taxi industry, as it faces severe competition from ride-hailing apps such as Uber.

"It is the first part of a wider programme I will be introducing that will drive up standards in the industry and help our world famous cabbies continue to thrive.”

Steve Burton, TfL’s Director of Enforcement and On-Street Operations, said: “This welcome boost to our enforcement team provides Londoners with additional reassurance and also sends a message to those not complying with the law that they will be caught and dealt with robustly.”