Two arrested in crackdown on London rickshaws

Rickshaw drivers were arrested in a West End crackdown aimed at curbing rogue use of the vehicles.

Enforcement teams from Westminster Council and the Metropolitan Police carried out the operation on Saturday night amid complaints that some drivers jump lights, go the wrong way down one-way streets, race through traffic and stop where it is prohibited.

Two men were arrested under The Metropolitan Police Act 1839 — originally drawn up to regulate horse-drawn carriages.

Emilio Ruiz, 24, was charged under Section 6 of law which prohibits people “to stand longer than may be necessary for loading or unloading or for taking up or setting down passengers”. The economics student from Seville, Spain, could face a £200 fine.

Another man in his 20s from Romania was also held for dropping his passengers off on a pedestrian crossing. Sergeant Christian Ardron, who led the crackdown, said they were not trying to get rid of pedicabs.