An investigation by this newspaper has exposed a Romanian pedicab gang operating within sight of Parliament, charging tourists up to £350 for short journeys. One employee of an official tour company described them as 'scammers', while our team witnessed riders hiding tariff cards and feigning ignorance of English when challenged.
How do rogue pedicab riders operate in central London?
Our reporters confronted operators in Westminster, Piccadilly and Leicester Square. Multiple riders were caught on camera concealing laminated cards quoting fees of £165 for trips that should cost a fraction of that sum under proposed regulations. When questioned, they claimed not to understand English, then either fled or reacted aggressively.
In one incident, our team tracked a pink rickshaw carrying two tourists from Westminster Bridge to Buckingham Palace, a distance of less than a mile. The rider charged them £40; the regulated cap for such a journey would be around £15.
What do politicians say about the collapse of law and order?
Reform UK's London mayoral candidate, Laila Cunningham, said the investigation demonstrates how 'law and order in Sadiq Khan's London has completely collapsed, right up to the front door of Parliament'. She added: 'If our police force cannot even secure the square mile surrounding New Scotland Yard and the Houses of Parliament, what hope does the rest of the nation have? This isn't just about rogue pedicabs or illegal ice cream vans – it is a visual symbol of Broken Britain.'
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp was equally damning, declaring that 'the law has become a joke'. He said: 'It is a disgrace that crooks can fleece tourists in the shadow of Parliament and jeer at the police while they do it. Labour has let the law become a joke, and criminals treat fines as a cost of doing business because Labour has given them nothing to fear. The UK should never be a place where you can rob visitors outside the seat of Government and get away with it.'
How are legitimate traders affected?
A veteran pedicab driver in Piccadilly voiced the frustration of those who play by the rules. 'The Romanian guys don't follow the rules; they are scamming and earn more money illegally,' he said.
Near the London Eye, a licensed ice cream vendor said his expensive permit was rendered worthless by illegal rivals who park on double yellow lines all summer. 'They just get penalty fines, and they're happy with it. They just park there every day all summer. Ticket, penalty fare – they just don't care,' he told our reporter. When approached, one such van displaying a council fine sticker sped off, only to return with other rogue traders.
What are the authorities doing about it?
Westminster Cabinet Member for Enforcement, Cllr Caroline Sargent, said Transport for London (TfL) will be responsible for licensing and enforcing the new pedicab regime, including fare controls. She called on the Mayor's Office to ensure the regime is integrated with local enforcement and to clarify resource requirements. The council will continue to use its own powers to tackle anti-social behaviour.
Lambeth Cabinet Member Jonathan Bartley said his borough has seized ice-cream vans and prosecuted illegal traders. 'These illegal traders exploit tourists, operate outside the licensing regime designed to protect the public and cause obstruction on one of the most iconic and busiest routes into our borough,' he said.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said the Met is 'cracking down on unlawful pedicab activity' using Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) powers, with over 200 fines issued so far this year. Allegations of organised crime, exploitation or money laundering are investigated where appropriate.
Transport for London has been contacted for comment.