June 13, 2008
Cab firm limiting NW10 bookings
A minicab company has decided to stop taking cash bookings at night from one postcode in London, because too many of its drivers were being attacked.
Addison Lee will only carry people to NW10 - which includes Harlesden, Willesden and Stonebridge - if they are using credit cards or accounts.
There have been about a dozen muggings in the last six weeks, "normally going to or from NW10", said MD Liam Griffin.
But local councillor Anne John said she was "fed up" with "slurs" on the area.
"I've represented Stonebridge for nearly 20 years now; it's changing rapidly," she told BBC London 94.9.
"It's an area that's coming up in the world very, very quickly indeed, and I'm very pleased to see that for the people in Stonebridge."
Mr Griffin said the restrictions would apply between 1900 and 0700 each day, unless a booking was made in "a way in which we can verify exactly who we're picking up before the driver gets to the passenger".
However too many drivers were being lured into danger and having their cars or takings stolen, he said.
"It's a lazy mugger's way of getting a victim," Mr Griffin added.
"People were basically using this as a method of bringing the victim to them, rather than finding them.
"They've turned it into something of a sport."
London Mayor Boris Johnson said: "Any crime which disrupts the lives of Londoners or the invaluable work of businesses in the capital will not be tolerated."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7452334.stm
