Four central London pedicab operators have been issued fines as part of Westminster Council’s latest crackdown.
During an operation by the council and Met Police across the West End, Soho, Mayfair and Oxford Street at the weekend, officers found four rip-off operators who were blasting out music in central London.
All four will now be prosecuted as the council continues its crackdown on nuisance operators in central London.
This comes as eight other operators were issued a total of £4,792 in fines at London Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
On hearing the progress and successful prosecutions, deputy leader and cabinet member for public protection and licensing, Councillor Aicha Less told the Standard: “It is fantastic to hear that last year’s progress made by our council officers has continued and I hope fines like those handed down continue.
“Despite our hard work, the lack of central government support is just not good enough. It leaves us tackling pedicabs with one hand tied behind our back. They need to give Transport for London more licensing powers.
“We will continue to do everything we can to stop rogue riders ruining the lives of residents and spoiling Westminster for our visitors.”
Adam Hug, the Labour leader of Westminster council, said the ditching of a proposed transport Bill from the parliamentary timetable meant there would not be an early opportunity to tackle the twin menaces.
Mr Hug said: “Our officers have time and again taken action against pedicab riders who believe they can charge tourists hundreds of pounds to travel down one street.
“My fear is the streets of Westminster will become an obstacle course for dumped bikes and the cacophony of pedicab riders who now effectively have a free reign to con the customer.
“The Government’s inexplicable decision not to regulate these areas means the wheel just come off any coherent plan to safeguard our streets. I appeal to ministers to think again before chaos descends in the West End.”
