Police declare war on illegal pedicabs using car batteries

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Drivers of the "souped-up" pedicabs are also uninsured and frequently flout traffic laws by mounting kerbs, jumping traffic lights and carrying more passengers than they are designed for.

Six were arrested in the West End last night after their vehicles were found to be travelling at more than 20mph.

It is believed that up to 80 per cent of the 1,000 pedicabs in Westminster have been adapted to run on car batteries, often hidden under the passenger seat. Many of these have no safety harnesses to protect passengers and dangerously inadequate brakes given the numbers of passengers they carry and the speeds they reach.

As part of the joint operation between the Metropolitan Police and Westminster council, a series of checkpoints will be set up in the heart of the West End to seize pedicabs flouting legislation.

This comes as it was also announced that illegal taxi touts and unlicensed minicabs would be targeted during the Christmas/New Year season. The police will be stepping up night-time operations in touting hotspots.Party-goers will be encouraged to use the Cabwise service - texting "home" to 60835 - which will send them a list of licensed and 24-hour taxi and minicab firms in their area.