Marco Forgione, Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for Richmond Park, urges local women to continue to take care not to use illegal minicabs.

Despite a sharp decline since 2003, there were still 140 rapes and sexual assaults in illegal minicabs reported last year in London. This means that on average 11 women a month are raped and sexually assaulted in illegal minicabs, Mr Forgione points out.

He said "I congratulate the Police on the effective measures they have introduced to tackle illegal minicabs and to highlight the dangers that they pose.

"In the run-up to Christmas, when people are more likely to go out at night and to take an illegal minicab, I am urging all women to only use licensed taxis.

"Illegal minicabs pose a risk to all of us as they are often unroadworthy and uninsured and run by criminal touts. If we all stopped using them they will be forced out of business and London will be a safer place to travel at night."

Tuesday, November 16, 2004

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