A JOINT operation to clamp down on rogue minicabs revealed that a staggering 60 per cent of drivers stopped and quizzed were breaking the law.

Out of almost 50 drivers checked on Barking Road in East Ham, 30 were found to be committing taxi licensing offences, vehicle and road traffic offences, benefit fraud or had outstanding court fines.

Newham Council's executive member for crime and anti-social behaviour, Cllr June Leitch, described the proportion of minicab drivers flouting the law as "absolutely appalling".

She added: "Any user of minicabs would expect to be safe and secure in the knowledge that their driver is a law-abiding citizen."

Police, council bailiffs and Department of Work and Pensions officials were out in force for the operation, which saw a long stretch of the major road coned off to accommodate the cars being halted.

One person received a warning for possession of cannabis and bailiffs executed eight warrants for outstanding fines totalling £3,550.

There were ten offences related to benefit fraud and two untaxed vehicles were removed. There was also one arrest for driving offences and another for breach of the peace.

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