§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report on the number of assaults on minicab drivers in east London; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggComprehensive information about such assaults is not routinely collected and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, I am284W informed by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that his records show that in the period 1 January 1988 to 25 April 1988 there were 18 cases of theft or robbery involving cab drivers in the Leyton area in which there was also some degree of assault. These cases may include incidents in which licensed taxi drivers as well as minicab drivers were involved. We fully support the efforts which the police are making to prevent such crimes taking place and to bring to justice those who perpetrate them.