5,ooo shadow operators in city

Licensing of minicabs in London is under way but legitimate operators complain that there are still at least 5,000 illegal touts operating in the capital.

All legitimate operators a total of 2,330 have been licensed by the Public Carriage Office, part of the Mayor's Transport for London department. A total of 9,149 minicab drivers have been licensed. Another 34,000 have been given temporary licences and will get full licences by 2006.

About 9,335 vehicles used as minicabs have also been licensed; the PCO is now four months into its 12-month vehicle licensing programme.

- Evening Standard