STH WOODFORD: Man convicted of "taxi touting" (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

STH WOODFORD: Man convicted of "taxi touting"

4:01pm Tuesday 9th February 2010 in

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A MAN has been convicted of illegally “taxi touting” in South Woodford.

Abdi Mohamed Afrax, of Cann Hall Road in Leytonstone, was found guilty at West London Magistrates' Court of illegally touting for business and not having insurance.

Afrax was handed a £75 fine, a £15 victim surcharge and was given six penalty points on his driving licence.

His licence has also been endorsed., meaning the conviction will appear on it for four years.

He was caught in August 2009 after approaching a police officer in plain clothes and offering to drive him to a pub.

Cab drivers have recently expressed outrage over the number of illegal mini cab drivers coming into the South Woodford area from elsewhere.

They say business is suffering because of it and also fear for the safety of passengers.

Inspector Martin Allen, of Redbridge Police, said: “We will respond to information from the public concerning taxi touting and would encourage the public or licensed mini cab drivers to contact us with any information.

“We have in the past mounted successful plain clothes operation to target unlicensed mini cabs and would welcome information to support similar operations.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact their local Safer Neighbourhood Teams or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.