Mini-cab rape

Last year in London 140 people were sexually assaulted in illegal minicabs. The Metropolitan Police Service and other agencies are working to eradicate the problem of illegal cabs, but there are still some out there.

So, when you are out and about you should follow this advice:

• Always try to pre book a car through a licensed minicab office.
• Make sure the car you get into is actually the car you ordered.
• Know the car details and check the driver knows the name it was booked under.
• Sit in the rear of the vehicle and carry a mobile phone or shriek alarm.

Transport for London provides two ways of finding licensed cab operators near you.

• Online: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaround/findaride/
• Via text: When you're out and about, text 'HOME' to 60835. The phone numbers of your two nearest licensed minicab operators will be sent directly to your mobile. You will also be sent the Taxi One-Number details.