Westminster Labour has welcomed the new that the police have seized 30 rogue pedicabs fitted with adapted motors to make them go faster during an operation in the West End. Officers were deployed to Oxford Street, Regent Street, Bond Street, and Covent Garden over the weekend. Drivers have been accused of ignoring the rules of the road and posing a risk to pedestrians. More than 50 pedicabs were inspected, with 30 being taken off the streets after being classified as motor vehicles.

Also welcomed is reports that police have arrested more than 20 people in a clampdown on brazen West End drug dealing. Crime figures showed drugs offences in the area soared by up to 38 per cent in a year.  Met Police detectives moved quickly to remove those suspected of supplying in the Cambridge Circus and Soho areas, hoping to reduce violent crime linked with drugs and improve the area for locals and businesses.  Of the 21 people arrested last week, 20 have been charged.

West End Ward Labour Councillor Pancho Lewis has been campaigning consistently on both these issues and has given his support to the police to continue to take strong action against pedicabs and drug dealing in the West End.

Pancho has also called on the Government to give the police the resources necessary to take regular action to keep West End streets safe.