POLICE have a localised initiative with officers from Transport for London in order to clamp down on unlicensed minicabs, which operate in Chiswick, in response to concerns from local residents and Pub Watch groups.

The initiative, which was taken last week was run as part of the ongoing MPS Minicab Safety Know What You Are Getting Into' campaign, launched in December 2002.

The success of the operation was highlighted by the fact that three arrests were made for illegal minicab touting and no insurance for minicab touting during the operation. All three individuals have been charged and are due to appear at Ealing Magistrates on May17.

The Licensing Department at Ealing Borough continue to distribute crime preventative material (posters, beer mats and post cards) to local licensed premises, with a view to bringing to the attention of the public the dangers of using unlicensed minicabs.

Sergeant Mark Weston, who organised the initiative, said: "The arrests achieved during this initiative are a direct result of excellent intelligence led police work and the effectiveness of government agencies working in partnership. This initiative, albeit quite localised, has given us a clearer insight to the scale of the problem in the borough. We are committed to reducing the levels of unlicensed minicabs and we have already started gathering intelligence to run a larger initiative in the very near future."

The news comes as it was revealed that an illegal minicab operator from Feltham faces a fine following spot checks and investigations by TfL's Public Carriage Office (PCO) as part of a drive to make minicabs safer.

At Brent Magistrates Court on Thursday March 11, the PCO prosecuted Rashedi Yageneth, Grosvenor Carriages, Falcon House, Central Way, Feltham, who was ordered to pay a £200 fine plus £282 costs.

He had been reported by PCO Licensing Officers for the offence of operating without a Private Hire Operators Licence for London.

Public Carriage Office Director Ed Thompson said: "The message to illegal operators is loud and clear - we will track you down. We are well on the way to licensing the minicab industry that will raise standards to bring safer and more reliable travel to London."

The offence of trading without a licence in London currently carries a maximum fine of £2500.

Since 2001 minicab operators must hold a licence from the PCO to run a service. Since 1st June 2003 it is an offence to drive a minicab without a private hire driving licence or a temporary permit issued by the PCO. Licensing of vehicles will start in April 2004.