Young women are being targeted by fake taxi drivers in the city centre, police have warned.
York City Council have advised people to be vigilant after a string of reports of drivers falsely claiming they work for a taxi firm that has a contract with the University and York St John.
A council statement confirmed the bogus cabs “have been seen on student nights,” and drivers are specifically approaching “young women”.
University Registrar David Duncan told York Vision: “In the light of this statement, all students are urged to take extra care with their travel arrangements.”
Duncan said students “should use reputable taxi firms which display recognised company logos, or better still, book taxis via recognised booking services.”
He encouraged students to download SafeZone, an app that allows for security services and the police to be called quickly.
He also added: “The University has preferred rates with 659 Taxis (dial 01904 659659), which all staff and students are entitled to make use of.”
Councillor David Carr said: “If you are approached by or believe an unlicensed vehicle is operating please don’t get in it.”
He encouraged concerned students to notify North Yorkshire Police or the council “as soon as possible” if they suspected they were being targeted.
Police are interested to know the registration number, make, model and colour of any suspect vehicle; as well as the sex, age, hair colour, ethnicity and build of the driver.
“Unlicensed vehicles are not insured to carry passengers, they may not be roadworthy and drivers may not have passed a ‘fit and proper’ person test,” Carr added.
All licensed drivers should have a photo ID badge issued by the council, which will list their name, their license number and an expiry date.
A private hire vehicle will have ‘Private Hire Vehicle, Pre Booked Only’ plates on its rear doors, and a maroon ‘City of York Private Hire’ license plate on the front and rear, listing its license number and how many people it can carry.
A Hackney Carriage will have a ‘Taxi’ roof light, the York crest on the front doors, a meter inside, and a yellow ‘City of York Hackney Carriage’ rear plate, also listing its license number and the number of people it can carry.
Students with information or concerns about these taxis have been told to contact the council on 01904 551438, or North Yorkshire Police on 101.