AFTER an enjoyable night of festive drinks at a Redbridge nightspot you decide it’s time to head home.

You stumble out into the street and consider your travel options when a minicab approaches.

“Need a ride?” the driver asks and you get in.

Think again.

A campaign has been launched by the police and Transport for London (TfL) to warn people of the dangers of bogus cabbies who may be uninsured and have a criminal record.

A serious threat is posed to women with more than 200 cab-related sexual offences in the past three years and any minicab that isn’t booked through a licensed operator puts you at risk of attack.

Drivers should not be approached and if one approaches you they are acting illegally.

The Safer Travel at Night Campaign began in 2003 and has reduced the number of offences by more than 20 per cent while also cutting the demand for unbooked cabs.

Police believe there is still more work to be done and are stepping up enforcement over the Christmas period.

The cab enforcement unit and safer transports teams in Redbridge will work around the clock tackling touting hotspots while a number of high visibility patrols have also been implemented to deter illegal cab activity.

The deputy mayor for policing, Kit Malthouse said: “Using unbooked minicabs can be dangerous and it is simply not worth the risk.

“Many people think getting an unbooked minicab home at night is safer than using public transport, or waiting for a licensed, booked minicab, but this simply is not true.

“Please don’t get into a car with a potential criminal. It could be a decision you regret for the rest of your life.”

Partygoers who do not pre-book their return travel are urged to text CAB to 60835 and they will receive contact details for three licensed minicab firms.

Stay safe and remember: If your minicab isn’t booked, it’s just a stranger’s car.