Mayor of London Ken Livingstone has launched a new TV advert aimed at woman in the capital which highlights the dangers of using illegal cabs.
The hard-hitting advert shows a young woman sitting in the back of a car chatting to her friend about their night out on a mobile phone. She starts to look confused at the route being taken by the driver, who arrives in an isolated car park.
The driver is then seen getting into the back of the car. In London, on average ten women are sexually attacked by illegal cab drivers each month.
The campaign encourages people to be ‘Cabwise’ and text HOME to 60835 to receive the numbers of licensed minicab and black cab firms in the area they are texting from.
Launched the advert at his regular press conference Mayor Livingstone said he intended “to continue our crackdown on illegal minicabs, which has already reduced the number of sexual assaults in London.”
“The huge step forward that has been taken in licensing the minicab industry makes it possible for us to crack down more effectively on illegal touts.”
The Mayor was joined for the launch by Met Commander Steve Allen and Capital FM Breakfast Show host Zoe Hanson.
Commander Allen said the police wanted people to “enjoy the festive season without putting themselves at risk by making safe choices when planning their journeys homes after being out for the evening in London.”
For more information on Cabwise visit: www.london.gov.uk/cabwise
