Out of almost 50 vehicles stopped and checked on Barking Road, 30 were found to have taxi licensing offences, vehicle and road traffic offences, benefit fraud and outstanding court fines.

One person received a warning for possession of cannabis and bailiffs executed eight warrants for outstanding fines totalling £3,550.

There were ten offences relating to benefit fraud and two untaxed vehicles were removed. There was also one arrest for driving offences and another for breach of the peace.

Executive member for crime and anti-social behaviour, Councillor June Leitch, said: "It's absolutely appalling that in just one day, there were so many minicab drivers caught flouting the law. Any user of minicabs would expect to be safe and secure in the knowledge that their driver is a law-abiding citizen.

"We will not hesitate to take action against these rogue drivers."