Get home safely warning as licensing changes take effect

Late night revellers toasting the arrival of 24-hour drinking are being warned to beware of bogus taxi drivers.

The new licensing laws mean many pubs and bars will stay open later, with more people therefore staying out later to enjoy a few extra drinks.

But when it comes to getting home, Taxiwise – the safety awareness campaign aimed at stamping out bogus cabs – is urging people to keep their wits about them.

"Longer licensing hours mean more people stay out later so there are more people for bogus drivers to prey on," said Matthew Cheyne, spokesman for the national campaign.

"In the worst cases, these people are not driving proper cabs and are looking to pick up a victim to attack. At best, an unlicensed cab will not be insured and could be in a dangerous condition.

"If you flag down a cab, you most check it is a licensed Hackney carriage. Getting into a traditional ‘black’ cab is the best way to be sure of this. Other vehicles used as Hackney carriages will have the licence number clearly displayed both inside and outside.

"Private hire cars, which can only be booked in advance, should also clearly display a badge saying it is for private hire only and giving a licence number.

"It is all too easy at this time of year, with spirits high and temperatures low, to merrily flag down any passing vehicle purporting to be a cab when you want to get home. The long opening hours will inevitably make this situation more common.

"But if you want to ensure you get home safely and don’t fall prey to dangerous people posing as drivers, or uninsured and faulty cabs, you must check that the vehicle you are getting in to is a proper taxi."

The on-going campaign, which also highlights the dangers faced by legitimate taxi drivers, is backed by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, the charity dedicated to personal safety.

It is urging passengers getting in to cabs to get into the habit of entering the taxi licence number into their mobile phone and texting it to a friend. If people get into the habit of doing this, they will automatically look for the number when getting in to a vehicle and so immediately know, if one is not shown, that something is wrong.