Surveillance Videos

In Reply to LCDC Blog Post: VeriFone Joins Effort to Turn London’s Black Taxis ‘Green by Thomas the Taxi

2011-07-15T07:16:00.000-07:00

This post (click here to read) is no more than a blatant advert.

John Mason, director, London Taxi and Private Hire, with Transport for London (TfL) said: “The age limits announced by the Mayor in December last year are absolutely vital to improve air quality in London.

OK john, show us evidence that a new cabs emissions are any better than a fifteen year old cab…they both currently pass emission tests at SGS. Why not trot along to your nearest center and see the test results for yourself.

are you saying John that the expensive filter system the PCO made drivers buy, doesn’t work?
surely not John?

This wonderful new TX4 that Verifone want to help us buy is still only euro4 which will be outdated and practically worthless in 4 years time.

£3K for how long a contract to have their livery?
are they really giving us anything?
is that not what they pay anyway for a 2 year contract?

John, if for appearance sake you want a newer fleet, you should concentrate on getting the drivers (all the drivers) a decent scrapage scheme

by the way you can already negotiate £3k off the price of a new cab with any trade in.

Apparently I'm banned from leaving comments on this blog.

Good luck with the cheap Chinese tyres on the new cabs

Video from undercover reporter Simco. Our man on the front line.

2010-04-14T06:22:00.000-07:00

Every time I pass BIG BITE tout shop I have observed scabs parking on the pavement. Its becomes dangerous or at best very difficult to pick up or set FOR THE TAXIS. Often families with children attend these Theaters and their safety is paramount.
"Stop hugging the hoodies" - ENFORCE THE LAW in their face 'david cameron pledge'

New video's of Maiden Lane, Bull Inn Court

CBJ and his alleyway tout shop.

CBJ touting outside venue and his clipboard in the 'tout shop' which is an alleyway.

Citi Cars are taking a p*ss, or I should say TOCU are taking a p*ss. TOCU said that they act on intelligence.
TOCU probably mean that they can't act because they haven't any intelligence.

Addi Lee and the M4 bus lane, a solution

2010-03-18T16:00:00.000-07:00

One Law For Them, One Law For Us... by Thomas the Taxi

2010-03-16T06:45:00.000-07:00

New Partitions to be fitted in Private Hire Vehicles to protect driver from aggressive passengers.

They've got to be joking!

The press release that stated that livery was to be allowed on PhV rear windows, gave dimensions of one third the height of the rear windscreen.

We then saw Addi Lee take the piss and cover half the windscreen. This was reported to the PCO who replied that Addi Lee had in fact submitted their livery which had been approved contra to the press release. They pointed out that in fact the press release was not enforceable as it was only meant to be a set of guild lines for livery on PHV's.

Now we are seeing the result of this bias from TfL/PCO. Mini cabs are plastering what ever they like over full areas of their rear screens.

Another example of one law for them and another law for us!

Who needs a PCO license anyway.... By Thomas the Taxi

2010-03-07T19:18:00.000-08:00

Saturday Night/Sunday morning, as I drove along Oxford street I noticed a Blue Mercedes E320 Reg, R8KCM, in front of me (without a green Baby on board sticker) slow done and speak to two girls walking alone. One of the girls then flagged me so I pulled up. "How Much to Bermondsey Station" she asked.

Being satisfied with my quote they got in. I asked them what the driver of the car in front had said and they told my he asked them if they needed a TAXI. He had quoted them more than double the actual fare.

So in fact they only jumped into my taxi, because I was cheaper. I tried to explain the dangers of getting into a strange car with an even stranger driver but they were not interested, they just wanted to go home. I then witnessed this car stop for other people so I started filming him and flashing my lights. Eventually he pulled over to the side on a bus stop. As I had two females in the cab I decided not to pursue this issue any further.

These two young ladies probably do not appreciate the fact they could have easily became part of the 10-12 serious sexual assault victims that happen in London every month!

Having carried out a search on the PCO web site, it seems that this vehicle is not a Licensed Private hire vehicle and the driver was acting as an unlicensed tout.

Pesi Club, Touting on the pavement... by Thomas the taxi

2010-02-16T06:57:00.000-08:00

Touting in the Charring Cross Road.... by Simco

2010-02-09T05:28:00.000-08:00

How can it be right for this little 24 hour shop to have a satellite license?

Surely to operate a car booking service in a shop door way is against fire regulations?

This is not just a one off,its happening all over central London.

It contravenes their license to tout and/or take bookings on the pavement outside the premises, but they still do it openly. Where do the TOCU Squad work at night when all this touting is going on?

How can they justify the money we pay them?

The Adventures of Cooperwoman....... By Lex Lather

2010-02-06T06:03:00.000-08:00

TOCU blind to touting....By Thomas the Taxi

2010-02-04T06:20:00.000-08:00

TOCU stop and search Licensed Hackney Cabs, but refuse to see Touts parked on Taxi rank 100 yards north. Well Done Joe...

Is today Tuesday...No its Toutday.....Thomas the Taxi

2010-01-25T19:42:00.000-08:00

No matter where you look at night, no matter which part of the West End or City you go to, all you can see are Touts. The Grosvenor House Hotel doorman is putting your work into minicabs.
Jalouse, licensed till 4am, taxi rank finishes at 3am . Tiger Tiger should be renamed Touting Touter.

Photos thanks to Chris Jim and Steve.

Addison Lee dont break the law. Dont make me laugh John.....Thomas the taxi

2010-01-25T19:35:00.000-08:00

John Griffin, in an interview in the evening standard, astounded the London Taxi Trade when he made a statement that none of his driver break the Law. Almost as funny as when he said on the telly that he owned a TAXI empire.

Photos thanks to Chris and Jim.

How can it be right for this little 24 hour shop to have a satellite license?

2010-01-25T06:11:00.000-08:00

Just noticed the CJ touting in Gt Windmill Street instead of the kiosk

2010-01-25T06:03:00.000-08:00

Westminster told us, this place is too dangerous to have a rank space.

Touts at Abacus....Thomas the Taxi.

2010-01-25T06:00:00.000-08:00

No satellite office license, but still the Corporation of London lets mini cabs rank up outside its venues.

Everyone of these cars is an illegally parked PHV tout.

Touting in Dover Street

2010-01-22T05:14:00.001-08:00

While the licensed taxis wait lawfully 30 yards from the exit, the touts sneak in and scoop up unsuspecting clubbers. We need to be outside the door, so potential passengers can see our forhire signs beaming like a beacon of hope and know they will arrive home safe from harm. Lets not forget, sexual predictors haunt these venues, with 11 recorded serious sexual assaults including rapes every month.

Tiger Tiger Again and Again

2010-01-22T03:33:00.001-08:00

Photo by Steve and Dawn

Aggression Towards Polite Taxi driver.

2010-01-13T20:28:00.000-08:00

Had to post this on here. This is the same tout that broke my first camera on Tiger Tiger. He has also been seen on Nobu but has issues with the door staff there. He has featured on many of my videos where he can be seen ranting and raving.

Be very careful with this tout as he does get very aggressive. Do not argue with him if you are alone just call Westminster Parking services and give them his registration.
Dont forget to complain to the PCO and send any video or photos with your complaint.

Westminsters New Purpose Built Ranks

2009-12-30T05:09:00.001-08:00

The Satellite Offices in the west end are beginning to show a worrying trend.

Cars that should be licensed to work from a club or bar are turning up outside many other venues. These four cars have been observed outside Tiger Tiger onAnon, the Tobacconist on the corner of Grt Windmill Street,

which strangely has been licensed as a satellite office

and the Sports Cafe'

which does not have a satellite Office license.

Where is the TOCU squad?

Why has this not been stopped?

Dartford Licensed Taxi, Touting in Central London.

2009-12-11T22:04:00.000-08:00

If seen do not approach as the driver gets very aggressive.

Even Addi Lee wants in on the act .....by Thomas the Taxi.

2009-11-25T05:58:00.000-08:00

Great story about Addis on Loo and an LBC presenter click here.

New Adverts for Rear Window, Perhaps.

2009-11-18T05:05:00.000-08:00

Two cars, Two mini cabs and a van parked on a licensed taxi rank!

Plenty of room outside China Whites for nice new Taxi rank!

Rickshaws and Mini Cab Touts.

2009-11-17T05:57:00.000-08:00

Photo's from Steve.

Lawless London, No Enforcement, Nothing to Fear.

2009-11-13T19:57:00.000-08:00

Photos from Jim

Photos from Steve

Zebra Crossing, Zig Zag Lines, What do they mean boss?

Rogues Gallery....Photos of Scabs on Ranks.

2009-11-11T17:48:00.000-08:00

12/13 NOVEMBER 2009

Photos from Lee and Dawn

Photos from Jim

11/12 NOVEMBER 2009

Photos from Steve Click for website

Go Back to Main Blog Click Here

NO to 19..... By John Kennedy.

2009-10-01T11:34:00.000-07:00

Whilst other trade organisations claimed a “victory” for reversing the PCO/TFL decision for allowing an individual with a serious criminal conviction on the knowledge the RMT London taxi branch moved onto to the next problem facing the trade which is the “London Local Authorities & Transport for London (no.2) Bill”, clause 19 will gives powers to Transport for London and all London councils allowing them to introduce “Voluntary Registration” schemes for pedicabs across the capital and not just in the West End of the City. If this bill passes through the commons in its present form you and I will be sitting next to and behind pedicab ranks throughout the West End and eventually other parts of London. For those trade leaders who wish to “ban and not licence pedicabs” need to understand that a “voluntary scheme” is unworkable and unenforceable and it is the hard working taxi-cab driver that is left sitting behind or next to the pedicab rank and not them.

So on the 30^th September at just after midday members of the taxi branch of the RMT specialist transport union held a picket outside the offices of Westminster City Council and then just after 1.00 pm that picket moved down to the offices of Transport for London, Windsor house on Victoria Street. The picket was good humoured and I must say John Paul Pace of the RMT had re jigged the words to “Swing Low Sweet chariot” to “Swing Low Sweet Pedicab coming for to carry you home...”, with Paul walsh blowing a horn and making sounds only a bagpipe could do we ended up with a crowd of local school children joining in and banging on the drums for us. Yes the picket was fun but a serious message was sent directly to Westminster City Council and Transport for London that the RMT London taxi branch will not sit back and watch the standards of public transport revert back to that of a third world country, public safety and the protection of the right to ply for hire of our members is paramount.

With the new parliamentary session soon to begin we shall be meeting officers of the union and then arranging to meet members of parliament and discuss in detail our concerns with this bill then we shall petition parliament at the right time and explain in detail the problems “clause 19” creates for working taxi-cab drivers and the general public. It was heart warming yesterday to speak to members of the public who actually support our cause in fact one lady was a tour guide (blue badge) she totally agreed with our position I asked her if she was in a union and I asked her to contact them and get her union to lobby against the bill turns out she was a member of Unite so let’s hope her branch of this union wakes up to this problem.

What though can you do if you are a working taxi-cab driver well the answer is simple join the only trade union and organisation that is prepared to stand up for you, others claim victories whilst some just follow but we in the RMT take the lead and get the job done. The problems we face in our trade will take time to solve but the quicker we grow the stronger we come. With active branch meetings that encourage debate you know you can have your say and seek the support of your colleagues and the wider union. It is time for all London taxi-cab drivers to join the RMT specialist transport union and make a stand for the rights that you have earned www.rmt.org.uk .

Say NO to 19, that’s a clause contained within the “London Local Authority and Transport for London (no.2) Bill, if you happen to pick up an MP or even a Peer tell them to just say “NO to 19”...!

A Final Insult From Westminster Council, A Taxi Gets A Ticket at the Tiger.

2009-08-08T13:08:00.000-07:00

javascript:void(0)

Tiger, tiger, burning bright,
your on the bus stand here tonight,
you wont move so I must act
cause with the scabs I've made a pact.

Tiger, tiger, burning bright,
Here's your ticket for tonight,
I did not do this for a prank
Now get your Taxi off their rank.

And have a nice night sir....

William Blake will be turning in his grave.

Still the same at Tiger Tiger,

2009-08-02T21:07:00.000-07:00

See the green Merc reverse back up the Haymarket so he could make a right turn into Jermyn Street. This action cause a bus to brake sharply. And yet just a few yards down the Haymarket the TOCU squad were giving Licensed Taxi cabs a Pull for badge and bill.

RMT demos

2009-07-12T21:16:00.000-07:00

Taking the work back, its so simple...by Thomas The Taxi

2009-05-17T20:28:00.000-07:00

New timelapse feature added to Olympic Park webcams

2009-05-09T06:08:00.000-07:00

A new timelapse feature has been added to the London 2012 webcams page.

It lets users select their own timeframe and view images in a flick-book style, showing progress on the main venues across the Olympic Park.

There are now 11 webcams on six sites of the Park: the Olympic Stadium, Olympic Village, Aquatics Centre, Energy Centre, Stratford Regional Station and a Park-wide shot.

This latest feature joins other interactive elements on the London 2012 website. The London 2012 map enables you to find out Games-related activity in your area and on the Park. There is also a virtual tours page where you can see 360-degree views of the Park and Stadium.

Click here for full website.

London Taxis from above

2009-04-26T20:23:00.000-07:00

The European open internet is under imminent threat

2009-04-23T06:20:00.000-07:00

URGENT - VOTING IN EU PARLIAMENT 5th of MAY 2009Don't let the EU parliament lock up the Internet! There will be no way back!
Act now!Internet access is not conditional

Everyone who owns a website has an interest in defending the free use of Internet... so has everyone who uses Google or Skype... everyone who expresses their opinions freely, does research of any kind, whether for personal health problems or academic study ... everyone who shops online...who dates online...socialises online... listens to music...watches video...
Millions of Europeans now depend on the Internet, directly or indirectly, for their livelihood. Taking it away, chopping it up, ‘restricting it', ‘limiting it' and placing conditions on our use of it, will have a direct impact on people's earnings. And in the current financial climate, that can't be good.
The internet as we know it is at risk because of proposed new EU rules going through end of April. Under the proposed new rules, broadband providers will be legally able to limit the number of websites you can lookat, and to tell you whether or not you are allowed to use particular services. It will be dressed up as ‘new consumer options' which people can choose from. People will be offered TV-like packages - with a limitednumber of options for you to access.
It means that the Internet will be packaged up and your ability to access and to put up content could be severely restricted. It will create boxes of Internet accessibility, which don't fit with the way we use it today. This is because internet is now permitting exchanges between persons which cannot be controlled or "facilitated" by any middlemen (the state or a corporation) and this possibility improves the citizen's life but force the industry to lose power and control. that's why they are pushing governments to act those changes.
The excuse is to control the flow of music, films and entertainment content against the alleged piracy by downloading for free, using P2P file-sharing. However, the real victims of this plan will be all Internet users and the democratic and independent access to information, culture goods.
Think about how you use the Internet! What would it mean to you if free access to the Internet was taken away?These days, the Internet is about life and freedom. It's about shopping, booking theatre tickets ... holidays, learning, job-seeking, banking, and trade. It's also about the fun things - dating, chatting, invitations, music, entertainment, joking and even a Second Life. It is a tool to express ourselves, to collaborate, innovate, share, stimulate new business ideas, reach new markets - thrive without middlemen..
Just think - what's your web address? Unless people have that address in their "package" of regular websites - they won't be able to find you. That means they can't buy, or book, or register, or even view you online. Your business won't be able to find niche suppliers of goods - and compare prices. If you get any money at all from advertising on your site, it will diminish. Yes, Amazon and a select few will be OK, they will be the included in the package. But your advertising on Google or any other website, will be increasingly worthless. Skype could be blocked. (As it is in Germany in the use from iPhone, already). Small businesses could literally disappear, especially specialist, niche or artisan businesses.
If we don't do something now - we could lose free and open use of the internet. Our freedom (of choice in information, market, culture, pleasure) will be curtailed. The EU proposals hold an enormous risk for our future. They are about to become Law - and will be virtually impossible to reverse. People (even the members of the European Parliament who are voting on it) don't really seem to understand the full implications and the legal changes are wrapped up in something called "Telecoms Package" which lulls people into thinking it is just about industry.
However, in reality, hiding from public view, the amendments are about the way the Internet will operate in future! Text that expresses your rights to access and distribute content, services and applications, is being crossed out. And the text that is being brought in, says that broadband providers must inform you of any limitations, or restrictions to your broadband service. Alternative versions use the word ‘conditions' - and it is seriously being proposed that you will be told the conditions of use of Internet services. This is made to sound good - it is dressed up as ‘transparency' - except that of course it means that the broadband providerwill have the legal right restrict your access or impose conditions,otherwise why would they need tell you? If the Telecoms Package amendmentsare voted in, the changes will not be reversible.
We all have a stake in the Internet! You need to act now to save it!What can you do about it?Tell the European Parliament to vote against conditional access to the Internet! Remind them that they need your vote in June and that internet still give us the tools to be watching and judging what they are doing! (link a la quadrature du net) You must know you are not alone: hundreds of organizations are working on that and thousands of people have already contact their parliamentarians about this issue.
So, act now:

1 - Email, write to or phone your MEP - follow this link to get theirdetails - a suggested template letter is attached. You can also use the following software that send the letter directly to all the parliamentarians. Believe, they will really receive it and they will really feel the pressure. You are welcome to personalize the letter and include information that will make MEPs wake up, take note and take appropriate action.

2 - Forward this email to everyone you know so that they can take action.

3 - Syndicate this page so that you keep been informed: disinformation is what they count on, we must be aware. Text for people to cut and paste to MEP: The coalition version needs to have instructions for people from each country. coalition members need to get a translated version online in their own languages and link to the LQ site for their own MEPs.

Find your MEP in the box below!

The LCDC Tout Video posted Jan 2009

2009-04-16T21:49:00.000-07:00

Made by Tony Mac inc.

April the first, Who's fooling who?

2009-04-01T15:42:00.000-07:00

Satellite offices

2009-03-14T09:05:00.000-07:00

Satellite offices are now springing up all over the place in bars, restaurants, night clubs, cafes and sweet shops. This one has suddenly appeared in the discount ticket office in Coventry Street.
Where will the next one be, a phone both on the Edgware Road?

Mary Dowdye done away with the need for planning permission for these offices.
She said " it was just a waste of time having to seek planning permission".
Bit like a waste of time having a rear working wash wipe?

The Insignificant Seven

2009-03-04T06:02:00.000-08:00

Ready to clean up this town with new wiper blades

A bunch of "Cowboys"??

The London Demo 5th feb 2009

2009-02-13T19:51:00.001-08:00

Thier nicking our ranks! one at a time.

2009-01-29T07:52:00.000-08:00

If you see PHV/mini cabs working on a Licensed Taxi Rank try and get a picture with your phone or better still a camera, dont confront them, for your own safty and report them to Luke Howard, who is convinced they are not touting on our ranks!
his email address is
Luke Howard, Strategy and Planning, Luke.Howard@tfl.gov.uk

Westminster. Are they targeting Black cabs?

2009-01-12T07:48:00.000-08:00

WE asked these questions of Westminster council in 2008.
We are still waiting for a reply!

If the Leader is concerned about the Public finding it hard to catch a cab, why are the council reducing the number of rank spaces and why have they removed so many Taxi ranks in the West End?

Why are Taxi's victimised by the CCTV cameras? We have members who have been given PCN's dropping of passengers on double yellow lines. The TFL press release states clearly that the driver has as long as it takes to pick up and set down passengers. We also have members who have received PCN's when stopping to pick up passengers in park Lane, the ticket is for being parked too far from the kerb. As the tickets are issued from Video footage this is a blatant miss use of the road traffic act.

Why does the Mobile CCTV smart car follow taxis around the west end in anticipation of then committing an offence?

How are Private Hire vehicles left, unabated to park in 24 hour bus lanes (Haymarket), bus lane and double yellow lines (Regent Street) and block the right of passage (Air street)?

Why do the CEO, (Parking Wardens) walk by private hire vehicles contravening the Traffic act.?

Watch out there's a Humphrey about.

Whats happening out there

2009-01-04T11:05:00.000-08:00

Mini Cab Rank?

2008-11-26T09:05:00.000-08:00

New Mini Cab Rank, Licensed by TFL and Westminster council!

Who is incharge Of Londons Transport?
Westminster makes up its own rules

Its not Just me!

2008-11-19T07:51:00.000-08:00

Other peoples videos

Rainbow George on Russel Brand

2008-11-18T21:09:00.000-08:00

There still at it in Regent Street

2008-11-08T07:28:00.000-08:00

Video posted by Jason
I am still amazed by the amount of mail I get from Tfl/PCO Officials saying that they don't believe touting is happening in the West End. Here is absolute proof.

This film was made at 11/30pm on Thursday 6th November, 2008
the side of Regent Street depicted is a bus Lane until midnight, when it becomes double yellow lines. The PHV vehicles actually rank on the bus stop.
How is this allowed to happen every night.
No CEO's
No Police
No Tocu squad
No PCO's.
No justice!

Is the Traffic better in the evening?

2008-11-07T09:02:00.000-08:00

Video posted by Jason

Haymarket Bombers, It could happen again tomorrow!

2008-10-23T17:44:00.000-07:00

Haymarket Bombers car bomb debris 'half mile range'

posted by Thomasthetaxi

The explosions of two car bombs left in London's West End could have thrown debris half a mile, a court has heard.
The cars packed with gas cylinders and nails were left in Haymarket and adjoining Cockspur Street in June 2007.
If ignited, the cylinders could have exploded in shards of metal, scientist Eric Leung told Woolwich Crown Court.
Bilal Abdulla, 29, from Paisley and Mohammed Asha, 27, from Newcastle- under-Lyme deny conspiracy to murder and to cause explosions. See BBC story here

See background of the three men involved

TFL, THE MET POLICE and WESTMINSTER COUNCIL give the touts a complete free hand to park outside Tiger Tiger and any other night venue in central London. The Haymarket bombers could be back any night and wouldn't even get a ticket.

Is this what we can expect in the Haymarket?

Or this out side the Cafe' royal

The Motorists Legal Challenge Fund receives support from London's Cabbies

2008-10-21T08:24:00.000-07:00

The Motorists Legal Challenge Fund this week received support from London Cab Drivers Club in the form of a cheque for £500 from Grant Davis and Paul White.

While we were filming the clip below we had dozens of people wanting to support the Fund and agreed with Grant and Paul's sentiments that it was about time that someone stood up to be counted and their organisation and their drivers would show solidarity by making a donation.Grant sums up the mood in the clip below ...

Click on the link to find out more about the London Cab Drivers Club.

Neil Herron states: "It is fantastic to have support of the LCDC and their drivers. It is a pretty daunting task to consider a big legal action alone but knowing that the cabbbies are onside means that the word will spread very quickly indeed and the Fund will grow.

We hope that cabbies across the country will add their names to the list of the Fund's supporters."Spread the word ... this legal challenge is on behalf of every motorist in the country and is intended to bring an end to councils using parking fines simply to raise revenue.

Wonder what Bob Oddie and John Thomas think of the The Motorists Legal Challenge Fund

New York Cabs Went Green, 2007. Us Next?

2008-10-10T19:53:00.000-07:00

How come LTI hasn't put a similar Ford hybrid engine in the TX4?

It has trebled the MPG of Gulzar Choudry's Ford Crown. This has got to be investigate by Mayor Boris .
Although Mary Snow hasn't got her figures correct, if Mr Choudry is to be believed he is saving around $650 a month on fuel. Taking in to consideration the $10,000.00 extra the engine costs, it can be recovered in fuel savings in 18 months.
The New York Cab has a shelf life of only 5 years. Not because the vehicles are inferior, but because most cabs do three shifts a day and are on the road almost 24 hours a day seven days a week.

New Video of touts and illegal Parking smart car.

2008-09-26T04:51:00.000-07:00

Westminster's CCTV car illegally parked!

Illegal Minicabs & Illegal parking in London

Our undercover cab driver takes a break

Cab trade gets new man on board TFL

Stolen Cell Phone Tracker - Available NOW!

2008-09-23T07:53:00.000-07:00

Ken Westin, founder of Gadgettrak advises...

PhoneBak is a unique patent-pending theft recovery solution that allows phone owners to have their phones "call them" in the event they are lost or stolen.

PhoneBak is triggered when the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) in your phone is replaced with an unauthorized one.

When this occurs PhoneBak will silently send SMS messages) to pre-defined numbers you have entered (spouse, IT department etc), the information gathered will depend on the platform, but will usually include:

• The new phone number of your phone

• The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity)

• The IMSI (International Mobiel Subscriber Identity)

• GSM Area Code

• Cell ID - GSM LocalizationWith this information you can contact the person who has your phone in the event it was simply "lost," or contact law enforcement with the details who can follow up with the service provider to get locate the phone. Operating Systems include:

Blackberry, Windows Mobile and Symbian.

Network Type: GSM. Not compatible with CDMA networks such as Verizon and Sprint.

Other innovative products Ken has developed include:

• Lost & Found Tags (Use them on anything!)

• Laptop Theft Recovery Software(Mac version also takes a photo of the thief.)(PC version allows remote destruction of your data!)

• Removable Media Tracking

Drivers could face £20 fine for leaving engines running in traffic jams

2008-09-17T08:34:00.000-07:00

source; Mail online

By Ray Massey
Motorists could face £20 spot fines if they leave their engines running while stuck in traffic.
Traffic wardens will be able to issue the penalties - after a warning - in a bid to cut down on pollution.
A pilot scheme is due to be launched in January in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, and will be expanded if it proves successful. West Sussex Council said it would target areas where exhaust emissions build up unnecessarily, such as rail crossings and town centres.
But drivers branded the plans yet another round of the war on the motorist. The AA pointed out that to switch off an engine and start up again within a minute actually uses more fuel than letting it idle.
Cabbie Roger Turner, 30, said he was disgusted with the idea,
adding: 'Who gave them the right to tell us to switch off our engines?
'It's not like we try to waste fuel, but can you imagine what would happen if everyone starts shutting off their engines?
'The ones I feel sorry for are the old dears, who won't know what's going on and could end with a £20 fine for not turning off the engine in their Fiat Panda. It's another example of the nanny state.'
West Sussex Council has already set up two Air Quality Management Areas in Shoreham, many of whose 20,000 residents are elderly.
A spokesman said: 'We want to get people out of the habit of leaving their cars ticking over out of convenience.
'We would stress that this is just an investigation at this stage. If it were ever introduced the fixed penalty would probably be £20, but we would hope the vast majority of motorists would be willing to cooperate. Air pollution is a particularly important issue for our residents, particularly those with asthma, lung and heart conditions.'
Signs have been put up at level crossings, telling drivers to switch off when the barriers are down.
AA spokesman Paul Watters said: 'We hope councils will not adopt a heavy-handed attitude with this. There is a huge difference between running the engine for less than a minute at the traffic lights and idling for a quarter of an hour.
'If you are stuck in a traffic jam and a warden slaps a ticket on your windscreen, that is ridiculous. The danger of everyone switching off in a jam is that some may not start up again. And then there's gridlock.'
Mr Watters added: 'The legislation allowing councils to impose such fines has been on the statute books for a few years, but few drivers are aware of it.'
The Department for Transport said it had issued guidance to councils stressing that they should not issue a £20 penalty notice without first giving drivers a warning.
Rule 123 of the Highway Code says: 'If the vehicle is stationary and likely to remain so for more than a couple of minutes, you should switch off the engine to reduce emissions and oil pollution.
'However, it is permissible to leave the engine running if the vehicle is stationary in traffic.'

Why turning the engine off in traffic might not be that green after all...
A car engine is at its most inefficient when it is idling, the AA said last night, but turning off the engine is not necessarily an improvement.
A spokesman explained: 'In terms of emissions, the catalytic converter only works properly when it's hot, and it cools down when idling.
'This means emission levels of gases and hydrocarbons will rise.
'Our own fuel consumption tests showed that a car uses somewhere between 0.36 and 0.78 litres an hour when idling - so that's no miles per litre, but plenty of carbon dioxide and more toxic emissions.'
An hour of idling can produce around 2.36kg of carbon dioxide - the 'greenhouse gas' blamed by scientists for global warming.
But switching an engine off is not necessarily a better option, the AA warns.
A burst of fuel is needed to start an engine, so switching it off and then on again seconds later actually uses more fuel than idling and produces more emissions.
The AA said: 'For less than a minute it is not fuel efficient to switch off because you will use more fuel starting up than you will save. It only becomes fuel efficient to switch off if you are going to be stopped for a minute or more.'

Unlawful, Illegal and immoral

2008-09-07T04:55:00.000-07:00

Again the councillors of Westminster should hang their heads in shame.
There are certain rules that councils have to abide by, they are not above the law and the fact that they unlawfully park their spy CCTV smart car in a place where anyone else would receive a parking fine is immoral. The councils reason for no parking at this location is that it would cause a bottel neck in a dangerous position. One rule for them and one rule for us.
If you receive a PCN for doing a U-Turn at this location you should appeal as you have good grounds that the method in which the evidence gathered against you was unlawful.
If you are passing this location in future and see this vehicle, KU56BTZ illegally parked, jot down all the particulars and pop in to harrow road police station (if you can find it open and can park legally) and make a formal complaint.
As said before the council is not considered by law to be exempt from parking regulations and must conform to parking restrictions the same as every other motorist. It is your right under British law to photograph a breach in the regulations and make a formal complaint.

CSI Stick - The Cell Phone Mosquito

2008-09-05T20:50:00.000-07:00

If someone asks to borrow your cell phone, or you leave it unattended, beware!

Unless you actually watch them use it, they may be secretly grabbing every piece of your information on the device, even deleted messages. If you leave your phone sitting on your desk, or in the center console of your car while the valet parks it, then you and everyone in your contacts list may be at risk, to say nothing of confidential e-mails, spread sheets, or other information. And of course, if you do not want your spouse to see who you are chatting with on your phone, you might want to use extra caution.

Paraben's CSI Stick can be used to make a copy of all data on a cell phone. ...a new electronic capture device that has been developed primarily for law enforcement, surveillance, and intelligence operations that is also available to the public. It is called the Cellular Seizure Investigation Stick, or CSI Stick as a clever acronym. It is manufactured by a company called Paraben, and is a self-contained module about the size of a BIC lighter. It plugs directly into most Motorola and Samsung cell phones to capture all data that they contain. More phones will be added to the list, including many from Nokia, RIM, LG and others, in the next generation, to be released shortly. (more)

Anger as Islington sells electoral roll data

2008-09-05T07:44:00.001-07:00

There was anger today after Islington Council was found to be selling residents personal details to private companies.
Thousands of Islingtonites had their full names and addresses flogged to junk mail firms on at least four occasions last year - one sale involved the details of over 52,000 people.
No permission sought
No permission was sought for the individuals involved, according to the Islington Gazette. The council would receive just a measly £1.50 per thousand names supplied - a pathetic price for the breach of taxpayers privacy.
The council claims it was 'forced' to sell the information due to a change in legislation that makes the data available to private firms.
Electoral forms
The shocking revelation comes at a time when officals are encouraging people to fill out their Electoral Role forms. Civil rights groups are urging the public to opt out of the edited register when completing the form.
This way it protects your vote and stops the council from selling your personal data.

Minicab predator claimed victim wanted sex

2008-08-20T10:02:00.000-07:00

By Alex Hayes.
A MINICAB driver who sexually assualted a passenger was found guilty yesterday.
Mirzaman Hashmi, 22, from Camden, forced himself on a 21-year-old Swedish au-pair in Ealing Broadway and was convicted of sexual assault and assault by penetration, a crime he committed on January 4.

Is this a ploy to keep the words rape or attempted rape out of official figures?

He was on police bail at the time.
Simon Wild, prosecuting, said: "She thought he was drunk and acting strangely and she tried to shake him off but he insisted on walking with her.
"When they got to Woodfield Gardens he grabbed her from behind and put his hand under her top and touched her breasts.
“She began to scream and he put his hand over her mouth, pushed her to the ground and kissed her. He pulled her jeans and pants down and put his fingers inside her.
"He was stopped when lights came on and a householder came to the woman's rescue. The householder had been woken by the screams. The defendant ran off.”
The young woman was examined and DNA from Hashmi was found. He was arrested in Harlesden in February and denied the incident completely.
However, when faced with the DNA evidence he admitted it had happened but claimed the young woman wanted to have sex with him and he stopped when she changed her mind.
Mr Wild said: "You have here a dangerous man who has attacked women and may have done much more, had he not been caught."
He had been also been accused of forcing himself on a 32-year-old Harrow woman, and putting his hand inside her bra, after taking her and two friends home from the Priory Nightclub, also in The Broadway.
He told the jury any contact with her breast was an accident and they believed him.
The woman claimed she had been assaulted after being driven home with two other friends on December 2, last year.
Mr Wild told the court Hashmi dropped her friends off before telling her she was beautiful. He was accused of pushing her back into his car after she had already left and touching her breast.
Mr Wild said: "She shouted 'Mum' and he backed off and she ran over the road to her house. He followed her and grabbed her phone and said 'sorry' and not to call the police.
“She said she wouldn't and he returned her phone. But she took his car registration number and called the police the next morning. He was arrested the next day, claimed he had helped the woman out of the car and any touching was not sexual."
Hashmi was remanded in custody and will return to court in October for sentencing.

Another Miscarriage of Justice

2008-08-18T07:22:00.003-07:00

.....................................DO YOU RECOGNISE THIS FACE?

By Claire Lewis
Crime reporter
A SHEFFIELD taxi driver ( incorrect) who pounced on two women passengers as he drove them home has been banned from ever working as a cabbie again. (Should have read Licensed PHV driver)
Mohammed Riaz, aged 51, of Staniforth Road, Darnall, was found guilty of attacking one woman in 2004 and another three years later and jailed for two years.

But police believe there could be more victims out there who have never come forward.Detectives now want to hear from anyone who believes they have been assaulted by the cabbie and said if the cases go to court he could receive even longer behind bars.And they have urged women to continue to use taxis rather than risk walking home at nights. ( Yes if these women had used Licensed Taxi's they would not have been assaulted)

Detective Constable Joanne Vaughan said: "We believe there may be more women out there who have not come forward and we would urge them to contact us. He could get a further sentence if found guilty of any more offences."This was a gross breach of trust and fortunately this man is an exception to the rule - we still advise people to use registered taxis to get home safely."

Riaz, who worked as a private hire taxi driver ( This is untrue, as this position does not exist) for a large Sheffield firm at the time of the attacks, got into the back of his car when he dropped his first victim off at home, tried to kiss her and sexually assaulted her. On the second occasion he persuaded his victim to sit in the front of his car as he drove her home, tried to kiss her and indecently assaulted her.He denied both offences but was found guilty after a trial of one count of indecent assault and another of sexual assault.Andrew Smith, defending, told Sheffield Crown Court Riaz still maintains his innocence. "He continues to deny the offences so I can't offer an apology or an explanation," he said.Mr Smith said one of the women told her partner after the attack that Riaz had "tried it on".He said he was not "a predatory sex offender who was determined to have his way whether they consented or not".

Mr Smith added Riaz was "a proud man" and "at the heart of his community" whose peers would take "a dim view" of his criminal record. Judge Michael Murphy jailed him and gave him with a Sexual Offenders Protection Order, banning him from ever working as a taxi driver anywhere in the UK again.He branded the offences a "dreadful breach of trust" and added Riaz to the Sex Offenders' Register for the next 10 years. "Taxi drivers perform a vital service for the public and people are entitled to trust a taxi driver," he added. "Taxi drivers must behave with respect towards customers - you abused the trust those women placed in you. Your attitude towards women is a matter of great concern. I think the risk is there for the future."Riaz was also jailed for 18 months, to run at the same time as the sentence for the sex offences, for forging a passport, renewing the forged passport and assisting unlawful immigration into the country. Some one should point out to Judge Michael Murphy and Sheffield Telegraph Crime reporter Claire Lewis the difference between a Taxi driver and a Private hire driver.

He admitted using his dead son's details to apply for a passport for his cousin's newborn child to get him into the country from Islamabad, Pakistan.

Spying Instructions

2008-08-13T21:31:00.000-07:00

Posted by Thomasthespy
The following information is available to the public at blackhatlibrary.com.

Excerpts reprinted below highlight the need for adding WLAN Security Audits to corporate TSCM inspection programs.
"Wireless Network Hacking and Spying Made Simple".
Here’s a quick and simple guide on how to get on to so called “secure” networks as well as a few things you can do to amuse yourself after you are in. Enjoy!
Finding the network.
Most wireless networks are configured to broadcast their SSID (Service Set Identifier), when looking for a network to have some fun with I like to start with these if they are available.... If you know that a network exists but you don’t see a SSID in your available networks, or are just curious to see if any are out there, there are a few tools that will get this job done for you.
For Linux users I recommend:
AirJack- A lightweight program. Kismet- Unquestionably the most powerful wireless program.
For Windows users I recommend:
AirSnort-AirMagnet- Bypassing WEP or WPA.
Let me start this section by saying that WEP encryption is a joke. The only thing turning on WEP does is add some extra information to the packets. Aircrack is a free Windows/Linux tool that can break both WEP and WPA-PSK.
Modifying the network.
It never fails to surprise me how many routers are left configured to the default admin password and username- if this is the case you can easily hijack an entire network. If the default credentials work, you can easily change the passphrase, SSID or completely turn off the router.
Spying on Connected Users
On a wireless network, the router effectively screams out requested information from any computer to the whole broadcast radius. This means that you can use a program to eavesdrop on other users on the network. (more)

We said this might happen and it has!

2008-08-04T09:43:00.000-07:00

TFL ignored our email, so has the LTDA's John Thomas, No reply from Ed Thompson.

The only one of these PHV's that is legally parked is the last one.
When TFL said they had marked out a space in front of the Taxi rank at Kings Cross Bridge, for PHV drivers to wait for "booked jobs" from the station,we feared that going on their passed record, the mini cabs would abuse this privilege and use this space as a rank. We also had an idea that the rank itself would become a handy extension to the PHV space's, now that it wasn't used very regulally, owing to the fact, the Thames link station had shut.
Our fears have now been realised as this weekend the Mini Cabs were using the Taxi rank as if they were in fact Licensed Taxi's. Touts have been observed inside the station looking for "roaders" which they walk over to the unlawfully ranked, Mini cabs. The touts, mainly Junkies are rewarded by the drivers.
Our undercover man was assaulted trying to film the goings on and his camera was smashed. We will be suspending this type of operation until we acquire our new button hole camera.

Why have the LTDA not taken up this issue?

Why is this rank different from Richmond?

Posted by John

2008-07-22T07:15:00.000-07:00

New video from Thomasthetaxi

Unfortunately The Warden just moved on the touts at Swollow Street and gave tickets to the Arabs very expensive cars.
Why wont the CEO's ticket the touts?
Ask the councillors of Westminster West End Ward.

Glenys Roberts , Frixos Tombolish, Ian Wilder

2008-07-21T20:24:00.000-07:00

Airless Wheel Video - video powered by Metacafe
A report by Thomasthetaxi

It's been well over a year since Michelin unveiled its take on the future of the tire, the airless Tweel. The odd-looking invention pairs a replaceable outer rubber layer with a central alloy hub joined by polyurethane ribs. Judging by this video, it would appear that the tire manufacturer is continuing to develop its concept, testing it on a variety of vehicles in a number of different environments. Michelin say they could have a taxi tyre concept by the end of the year

Northampton Private Hire Driver Tots-up 23 Points

2008-07-16T12:31:00.000-07:00

A private hire driver has been left with 23 points on his licence –
almost the legal double for a ban – after being caught plying for trade without insurance. Aamir Afzal was parked in Gold Street, Northampton, in February 2008, when he was asked to go to Far Cotton by two officers working undercover.
When they arrived at the destination, Afzal was cautioned by waiting police officers for plying for hire without a public hackney carriage licence and having no insurance. His driving licence was already endorsed with 15 points – the total required for a ban is 12 – and Northampton magistrates gave Afzal a further eight penalty points.
Afzal, 39, of Agnes Road, Northampton, had pleaded guilty to the offences at an earlier hearing and was fined £300 and a £15 victim surcharge, as well as being given a six-month driving ban. Fellow driver Rashid Aziz was also caught by police and Northampton Borough Council officers during the operation, when he took undercover officers from the University of Northampton's Park campus to Kingsthorpe.
He told magistrates: "I didn't actually stop to ply for trade, I had dropped a job off there. I tried to contact the company I work for on two occasions to check if I could book it. "It's my mistake for taking them, which I know I shouldn't have done."
Martin Kean, of the Northampton Private Hire Association, said: "The punishment fits the crime. Private hire drivers know they shouldn't be plying for trade, so if they get caught doing it, there's no defence. "Clearly this is a problem because the police keep going out and catching drivers picking people up illegally, despite being told by the police and by the council that they shouldn't be doing it." Aziz, 34, of The Headlands, Northampton, pleaded guilty to plying for hire and having no insurance.
He was fined £200 and given six points for having no insurance, £100 for plying for hire and was also ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge.

Comment by Georgie(bd)
This is just what is needed in the west end Eddy. Perhaps the police should all be given a copy of the Abstact of laws for Privat Hire drivers PCO notice 16/07. Next time you speak with Peter and Len bring this up. Because if you dont do something soon, we will replace you.

Press release from big Ed

2008-07-13T19:58:00.000-07:00

Comment by Thomasthetaxi

ED Thompson finaly puts out a sensible press release that doesn't insult the trade.

We knew if we waited long enough this would happen. Every thing comes to those who wait!

Couldn't find work from the Wimbledon Big Party, want to know why?

2008-07-07T12:03:00.000-07:00

A report by Thomasthetaxi

Game Set and Match.

Hertz Car rental were given special permission to rank over fifty Hire Cars without the green roundel, in Park Lane late Sunday night. No Taxi's were aloud anywhere near the reception, being held at the Intercontinental Hotel. So we not only have to put up with PHV drivers forming unlawful ranks, we now have to put up with private companies taking work off the streets

PARKING CCTV ‘SNOOPED IN ON BEDROOM’

2008-07-02T20:32:00.000-07:00

Despite reassurances from Westminster and other councils, they still cannot behave themselves with CCTV being used to spy in peoples' windows. Not only are the cameras inadequately signed (why tell motorists that they could be captured on CCTV ... it would only reduce the revenue) thereby not providing any deterrent, it is now revealed that they are being used to look in windows.

Jamie Welham

West End Extra 27th June

Fury as council cameras are caught looking into private homeA CCTV camera set up to catch parking cheats has been caught snooping on a Bayswater bedroom. The West End Extra has seen video footage from one of Westminster Council’s spy cameras zooming into a luxury flat in Moscow Road. The council had assured residents that the rotating street cameras, manned by operators in the council’s CCTV control centre in Lisson Grove, would automatically blur out when passing over residents’ rooms. But the video, released following a Freedom of Information request, shows they are not. More ...

Find out if your council is doing the same by submitting the following:

Dear Sir / MadamInformation Request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000Please provide a list of ALL the CCTV camera locations (used for moving traffic or parking contravention monitoring) across the borough and also provide the following:

(i) the type of equipment used (camera and recording device) in each instance

(ii) the date the camera was installed

(iii) whether each individual camera has been fitted with a privacy zone

(iv) details of whether the privacy zones are fitted to each camera as a matter of standard installation procedure and any protocols and guidelines for installation / use / monitoring of CCTV cameras.

Yours faithfully,

The Police Must act soon against these Law breakers

2008-06-30T07:41:00.000-07:00

JBW your first choice in Law breaking.

This van is operated by a Private company that takes on covert CCTV work for Local councils and in this case the TOCU squad. They are covered by the same laws that we have to abide. they cannot contravene the Traffic regulations and are not above the Law.

This vehicle was seen to drive the wrong way down a one way street and Illegally Parked the wrong way round on a working Cab Rank. causing an obstruction.

Why not phone them up and complain the number on the van is 0844 576 3620

So the Police havn't got the Man power to inforce the laws against illigal ranking and touting from the PHV drivers in the West End

so where did all this lot come from then?

Touting the touts

2008-06-25T21:41:00.000-07:00

TFL sit up and take notice

2008-06-23T05:43:00.000-07:00

I looks like they are beginning to sit up and take notice, at last.
below is a part of the email sent to us by Luke Howard, Senior Strategy & Integration ManagerTfL Public Carriage Office. Please keep the videos coming in, we will try to publish as many as possible.

"You discussed the behaviour of PHVs waiting in Regent Street and the videos on your web site show some other areas in Westminster. We are aware that touting and illegal cab activity takes place in these areas among others and the Mayor has announced increased resources to act against this, including a doubling of the size of the Police Cab Enforcement Unit. We welcome any information about where such activities take place. Parking enforcement in the areas you quote is a matter for Westminster City Council. You are no doubt aware that parking or waiting is not in itself evidence of illegally cab activity, and it is for the City Council to decide how to manage their parking enforcement activity."

Still work to be done in the city;

Cornhill friday night

Rickshaw shame of Westminster

2008-06-14T06:07:00.000-07:00

Night after night we see these contraptions massing around venues in the west end. They have become like a virus and they are spreading at an alarming rate. No lights on most and the standard of driving is appalling. Its about time Westminster council banned these monstrosities. But they wont, they are looking at ways to license them so they can enrich their coffers. They are not worried about the publics safety, just the revenue that can be generated.
How do the councillors sleep at night?

Mini Cab Touting out of control!

2008-06-10T20:48:00.000-07:00

Most nights from about 11.30pm Licensed Private hire vehicles start to assemble outside London's Clubs. Regent Street from the corner of Piccadilly right down to just past Swallow street is a continuous Line of illegally Parked, unlawfully ranking mini cabs. Serviced by men in dark coats with clip boards. On these boards is clipped a license from TFL. This License gives them the right to act as a satellite booking office from inside the club. They are supposed to phone for a Mini Cab wait with the passengers inside the premises and when the car arrives, escort the people to the vehicle.
They are not licensed to stand outside the club waving the clipboard around shouting "Taxi anyone". If a hiring is achieved in this manner then the insurance of the PHV becomes void. This is not just a hackney carriage offence, it is a criminal act and as such is arrestable.

So why are the Police, Civil enforcement officers, The TOCU squad and Carriage Officers not doing there jobs and arresting, ticketing and generally putting a stop to this.

Would it be that the PCO has issued so many licenses that they have to let this take place or the drivers wont buy a license and they will loose revenue?

If thats not enough for you click here

Imitation Private Hire?

2008-06-08T11:54:00.000-07:00

Why is the London Mini cab the only Private Hire Vehicle, without a proper readable licensing plate. These round licenses are impossible to see some times if the vehicle has a tinted window. They stopped the Hackney cabs having tinted rear windows or tinted visors on the windscreen for safety reasons, or so they said. But now it has become clear that PHV minicabs do not have to conform to the same safety standards as a Taxi cab.

WHY?

There are many unlicensed mini cabs now with just the Pre bookings only plaque, so they can stop on bus lanes. They are using this plaque like a for hire sign and are being aloud by TFL to Illegally rank outside clubs and bars all over the West End. No one is doing a thing about it.

We are calling for the man in charge of the TOCU squad to resign

Jeroen Weimar, Director of Transport Policing and Enforcement at Transport for London (TfL). He is responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of transport policing across TfL’s transport infrastructure and services. Also directly responsible for TOCU

Why not Email him and let him know what you think

jeroenweimar@tfl.gov.uk

Or tell his Boss.

peterhendy@tfl.gov.uk

Regent Street, Swallow Street, where are the wardens?

2008-05-28T21:54:00.000-07:00

RegentStreet, Swallow Street.

Regent Street , Air Street.

Victoria, bus stops.

Where are the Police, PCO's, TOCU or the Civilian Parking Operatives?
How come the bus drivers dont complain about the minicabs parked on their bus stop and in the Bus Lane?
Or do they?

Sign Our e-Petition NOW!

2008-05-26T18:21:00.001-07:00

Lorry drivers are to descend on London in what organisers hope will be the largest-ever fuel duty protest in the capital.
Hauliers from around the country will stage their slow-moving demonstration on Tuesday before parking in central London.
A delegation will hand a letter to 10 Downing Street demanding the immediate introduction of a fuel rebate allowing HGV drivers to claim some of the duty back.
The protest comes as the price of a litre of diesel has soared past 120p.
Mike Presneill, a leading member of Transaction 2007, which is helping to organise the protest, said: "Fuel is rocketing. The government has the power to act but appears not to be listening. Hundreds of UK transport firms are being driven to the wall. Thousands of UK jobs are being lost."Foreign hauliers are entering the UK with cheaper fuel purchased abroad. They contribute nothing to our economy. We are paying the highest rate of fuel duty in the UK. All we are asking for is that the government introduce an essential-user rebate so that we can compete on a level playing field with continental hauliers."
The Kent-based haulier Peter Knight said: "This is the economics of the madhouse. If the prime minister doesn't listen, the government will lose out. As UK hauliers we pay enormous amounts of tax to the UK exchequer; we pay employment tax, road tax and, of course, fuel duty. If we are wiped out, the work will be done by foreign hauliers who pay nothing to the UK in tax."

Sign Our e-Petition NOW! click here

Message from Neil Herron

2008-04-25T14:00:00.000-07:00

If you are a member of the LTDA or the LTDC why not ask them to contacted Neil Herron to work for their members?

Looks like a good peice of PR to help boost the membership!

And could save us all money in fines.

Haymarket, the shame of TFL

2008-04-20T12:17:00.000-07:00

Friday 29th June 2007 01:40am

Attempted attack on Tiger Tiger

Friday 18th April 2008 1:40am

things haven't changed!

WHY?

Why not email Peter Hendy today and ask him directly peterhendy@tfl.gov.uk

The only cab on the road

2008-04-18T19:28:00.000-07:00

Just to cheer you up

With thanks to spursphil

.......................................................................................

Cop for that! all you so called cockney cabbies.

With thanks to Tony, David and Dennis

Have things changed at Amika?

2008-04-14T06:57:00.000-07:00

We thought we would look again at Amika. The NO Loading at any time signs have been up for a few weeks now so will the council and the Police do their duty and stop the illegal ranking,touting and the carrying of paying passengers in vehicles that are uninsured. ?

We made two videos Saturday night 12/13 of April 2008, one at 12.30 midnight and the second just after 2am.

It seems that the scabs rank in Young Street ( double yellow lines and disabled bays) till 12.30 am where they are called up to the door by a clipboard man, who makes no attempt to disguise the fact he is openly touting. Shouting "who wants a cab see me first" he is committing an arrestable offence and can be taken to the police station where his fingerprints and DNA samples can be taken. We think the wardens finish at 12/30 as this is when the scabs swing round and rank openly outside the club. All the drivers are touting illegally and can also be arrested. They are committing three major offences
1. Forming an illegal rank
2. Touting
3. Driving whilst uninsured
plus there are a number of small charges such as acting as a Taxi driver without badge or bill and carrying passengers for hire and reward without insurance.

Also notice that the Mercedes on point has been sitting there for over one and a half hours, free parking in central London on a Saturday night.

Hear what Peter Hendy said about the Cab trade

2008-03-27T05:15:00.000-07:00

We should get out more, cabs won't rank on the Grosvenor House and you cant get a cab at two in the morning. Acording to PETER HENDY.

So there it is.

Any Complaints should be sent to

enquiries@pco.org.uk

or complain directly to Peter Hendy

peterhendy@tfl.gov.uk

Here is the link for the meeting that took place on 11th march.
http://www.london.gov.uk/assembly/webcasts.jsp
Click on Transport Committee 11th March and Media Player should open with a webcast of the meeting. The part that will interest you is from 1 hour 26 mins 30 secs to 1 hour 43 mins 50 secs in to the meeting on PHVs.
There will be a transcript available, but not for another couple of weeks.

Cameron sorry for traffic law breaches

2008-03-21T07:57:00.000-07:00

A contrite David Cameron has apologised after he was spotted apparently breaking a series of traffic laws while cycling to Westminster.
The Tory leader was photographed by the Daily Mirror, riding the wrong way up a one-way street, going the wrong way round a "Keep left" bollard, and crossing the white line at a red traffic light.
He was also seen riding across a toucan crossing for cyclists and pedestrians while the signal was red.
According to the paper, the incursions all occurred within the space of a 30-minute bike ride from his home in Notting Hill, west London, to the House of Commons.
The pictures are an embarrassment for the Conservative leader, who has made much of his enthusiasm for cycling to underscore his "green" credentials.
In a statement, he said: "I know it is important to obey traffic laws - but I have obviously made mistakes on this occasion and I am sorry."Other politicians who show an enthusiasm for two wheels include the Conservative candidate for London mayor Boris

See Kens Cycling City click here

Is Peter Hendy the right Man for the Job? you decide.

2008-03-13T22:09:00.000-07:00

On the 11th of March Peter Hendy, answering Questions at a meeting of the transport commitee at City Hall said " the reasons people use minicabs at the Grosvenor house hotel is that Taxis wont rank there, not like the Hilton where they have a great rank".

Why is this man, who has so much power over the Cab Trade in London, so badly informed?

Does he never Travel around London at night after midnight?

He also said that the reason there are mini cabs ranking in regent street is because "no taxis want to work past nine o-clock in the everning as they have all taken there money by then".

Why dont you write to Peter Hendy, commisioner of TFL c/o City Hall, and tell him what you think of these statements.

I'm sure he would be please to know just what you think of his words.

Hear them for yourselves at http://www.london.gov.uk/assembly/webcasts.jsp

Click on Transport Committee 11th March and Media Player should open with a webcast of the meeting. The parts which will interest you are from 30 minutes to 37 minutes in to the meeting which is on Black Cabs, and from 1 hour 26 mins 30 secs to 1 hour 43 mins 50 secs in to the meeting on PHVs.

If you feel as insulted as I do about the ignorance of a man, who is has the power to actually do something about touting but refuses to see the problem. A man who makes snide remarks and thinks we don't work hard enough. Why not contact Ed Thompson, the head of the Carriage office and tell him just what you thought of the way Peter Hendy insulted us all at this meeting.
Emails Ed Thompson At enquiries@pco.org.uk

We have in our possession both Ed Thompson and Peter Hendys personal Email addresses but have been ask to go through the proper channels. We will try it their way first and if we do not get satisfaction soon, then the Personal email addresses will be released to all 25,000 cab drivers.

Where are the CO's

2008-03-12T22:15:00.000-07:00

This is what we have to put up with

Touts both sides of the road. Blocked streets, men with clipboards, men in yellow high vi's touting openly,no wardens, no police and no CO's. Tonight 12/03/08 just before 11PM Charring Cross Station was under the watchful eye of the Public Carriage Office dreaded CO's putting stops on Licensed Taxi's. Why are they never seen in Regent Street, where Licensed PHV's are found every night touting?

Friday night Saturday morning 8/03/08 2 am

2008-03-10T12:35:00.000-07:00

Where are all these people that have been waiting for an hour. got my light on, cant find a job. They are being directed towards the PHV's ranking bothsides of Regant Street illegally.

Is this myth put about just to make the public feel that the mini cabs are giving them a fantastic service.Dont they know their unisured when picked up without being prebooked?

THE FINAL SOLUTION

2008-03-05T12:02:00.000-08:00

They finaly found a way to stop the touts in the 24hour bus lane outside Tiger Tiger in the Haymarket. They dug the road up.

Still the same at Regent Street. 11/55 pm 28/02/08

2008-02-29T04:40:00.000-08:00

How do they do it?

Night after night they park in a bus lane, on a bus stop and block Air Street.

Where are the wardens, the police or TOCU?

For answers to these questions keep whistling dixie.

Or email the borough commander of the Met police, westminster.

westminster@met.police.uk

Same again at Swallow Street. Mini cabs Ranking un bothered by wardens,police or TOCU

Things the same at Ken High. 12/30 am 29/02/08

2008-02-29T04:32:00.000-08:00

After investigating your complaint, it appears that a sign which should appear directly outside WholeFoods and Amika has been illegally removed. The sign should state that there is no loading/unloading at any time. This applies to the part of the road where double yellow lines with two 'blips' are in place. There is a similar plate opposite the road outside of Uni Qlo.

I have now arranged for this sign to be replaced. As such, the parking attendants will shortly be able to enforce penalty charge notices in this area, hopefully alleviating the problems you describe. I have also spoken with the base manager for NCP. He is aware of the situation and will relay the information to his parking attendants.

My apologies for the delay in replying. Please feel free to contact us if the problems persist.

nick.day@rbkc.gov.uk

Why not email Nick and ask why it takes soo long to errect a sign 8 inches by four to a Lamp post. Surely he could do it in his dinner hour?

City of steel, or should it be stealing in the city?

2008-02-28T04:55:00.000-08:00

Driving down Cornhill which should be deserted at 2 o/c in the morning, you suddenly become confronted by Mini cabs parked illegally on double yellow lines and a bus stop. The drivers, most Licensed private hire drivers, are seen touting outside the bar Abacus. The city police ignore and when I tried to report the drivers at Bishopsgate Police Station I was told it was a matter for the traffic wardens not Police officers. when I explained to the police sergeant that touting was in fact an arrestable offence he advised me to write to the borough commander of the City Police. So if you get burgled, mugged or raped in the city don't phone the police just write to the borough Commander.

Traffic Warden Heaven!

2008-02-28T04:34:00.000-08:00

Last night 28/02/08 at aprox 1/30 am I asked this traffic warden to give tickets to the twelve Mini cabs illegaly parked on double yellow lines in High Holborn corner of Dury Lane. He said " its no worth the agro as I start witting they just drive off and when I walk away they come back so I just don't bother now"
I followed the warden up to New Oxford Street where he saw a lorry parked on the Pavement, so as not to block the traffic. He ran over like an athlete and before you could say Linford Christie, he had stuck a ticket on the windscreen and taken a photo.

Still the same at Amika Ken High Street 06/02/2008 2.30am

2008-02-07T20:49:00.000-08:00

Thank you for your email We will be looking at the problem over the next few weeks. On Friday 19th January we had a high visible patrol and a mobile unit out at approx 2345 in Kensington High St. The door persons were spoken to at the Amika night club.In the next few weeks we will be sending further units to this location where we will be actively target drivers seen 'hanging' around the area.

Chief Insp Blood is the officer dealing with this problem.

PS Alun Evans 57BS Staff Officer to Borough Commander Kensington and Chelsea Metropolitan Police Service

Met Phone: 40607 Telephone: 0208 246 0607 Fax: 0208 246 0618 Address: 72 Earls Court Road London W8

Do the police work after midnight in Kensington?

8 th of febuary 2 am Regents street

2008-02-07T20:36:00.000-08:00

Thursday night, busy at the venue Paper. Mini cabs double parked. The police traffic cops just drive by.

The face behind the clip board turns his back on the camera.

The clip board man parks one of his Mini Cabs across Air street at the Traffic Lights.

That's forming an illegal rank,

touting which is an arrestable offence,

vehicle dangerously parked

and obstruction.

No one has ever done anything and now it has become a regular sight. They believe their doing it by the book because the police and the traffic wardens just walk on by.

How come London buse's are not issueing penalty notices to these miniscabs taking our jobs from under our nose's.

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Victoria bus stops tout nicks job suprise, suprise.

2008-02-06T12:08:00.000-08:00

Its no laughing matter.

These touts are being called on cell phones by the driver who tells them he is approaching the Vic with a full bus. Passengers I have spoken to, have confirmed this action.

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The Haymarket 24hour Bus Lane for buses, mini cabs and car bombs

2008-02-06T11:56:00.000-08:00

Earlier this year on 29 June 2007, two unexploded car bombs were discovered in London. The first device was found near the Tiger Tiger nightclub in Haymarket. The device was removed and later disassembled by explosives officers. Several reports were made to the police, including one from an ambulance crew that saw what looked like smoke in the car (which later transpired to be petrol evaporating) some time after 01:25 (BST) after being called to the nightclub to attend to a man who had fallen over and suffered a minor head injury. The car was a 1989 light metallic green Mercedes 300E saloon car. Around 04:00 there were reports that two large gas canisters and a large number of nails had been found in the car. The second device was left in a blue Mercedes-Benz saloon in nearby Cockspur Street, but was not discovered until after the car had been towed away as it was found to be illegally parked. London's Park Lane was later cordoned off while the suspicious vehicle was investigated. A controlled explosion was carried out on the car and it was found to be packed with 60 litres of petrol, gas cylinders and nails, the same as the car found in the Haymarket.Scotland Yard, Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur urged people to be "alert and vigilant" and to report any suspicions to the police. Well we have reported the fact that cars and mini cabs are left untouched and uninvestigated night after night outside the Tiger Tiger venue and A C Tarique Ghaffur has done nothing at all. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith chaired a meeting of the government's emergency response committee, in her first full day in the job. She urged the public to be vigilant. She also has failed to do anythingUnfortunately the police and local authorities seem to have forgotten these incidents now as every night Mini cabs and private cars can still seen parked outside clubs pubs and restaurants in the west end. Some just left there all night, with wardens just walking by after noticing the Private Hire badges. The worst offenders are Tiger Tiger in the Haymarket (24 hour bus lane), The Café Royal in Regent Street (bus lane till midnight and then double yellow lines) and Amika in Ken High Street (double yellow lines). Why do the police and local wardens just turn a blind eye?We have written to Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea councils plus the Met police the PCO and TFL. No action has been taken by any of these agencies, WHY?Will it take a catastrophic incident with great loss of life before they finally do something?Well documented Islamic web sites said that these bombs were targeting hen nights as no one would miss these uncovered sluts and whores. why is the Mayor not doing something to protect the public?Is it because he has a financial interest in text lines for minicab firms?

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Monday 21st 23,38pm Regent Street, W1

2008-01-22T04:09:00.000-08:00

Bus Lane active till Mid Night full of mini cabs. Traffic Warden seen to wave affectionately at drivers then walks past. Corner of Air Street tout with clip board loads stolen job into mini cab. Just a normal sight on monday night! Notice that Air Street is completely blocked by parked Mini Cabs. Wardens do nothing.

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Saturday 19/01/08 1 o/c am corner of Swallow Street W1

2008-01-22T02:17:00.000-08:00

Mini cabs swarm on to bus lane, after midnight double yellow lines, corner of Regent and swallow. Drivers touting in Swallow Street wardens turn a blind eye!

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11.30.PM Friday 18th Jan 2008 oppersite Cafe Royal Regent Street

2008-01-22T02:08:00.000-08:00

Saturday Night pre-midnight, Mini cabs parked both sides of Regent Street in bus lanes and on bus stops. Taxi's have to double park to pick up or drop off.

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