Transport for London has launched a campaign with the Mayor of London and the Met Police to make sure people in Redbridge get home safely during the Christmas party season.

A Cabwise mobile phone app, which provides a quick and easy way to book a licensed minicab, has been launched alongside an advertising campaign warning of the dangers of getting into illegal cabs.

Licensed cars can also be booked through www.tfl.gov.uk/cabwise or by texting 60835.

Through Operation Safer Travel at Night, the police will also speak to late night revellers to let them know the dangers of unbooked cabs.

Only black cabs can pick passengers up on the street without a booking; all others should be booked in advance, even if they display a TfL licence in their window.

Chief Supt Sultan Taylor, of the Met’s Safer Transport Command, said: “We are committed to reducing the number of cab-related sexual offences and our officers are out on the streets of the capital giving women safer travel information.”