POLICE have issued a warning to unsuspecting travellers that illegal taxis have been operating in Newton Abbot.

Reports have come in recently that the unlicensed cabs have been in action, picking up fares around the town.

Drivers of these vehicles are not insured to carry paying passengers, officers have warned.

A police spokesman said: ‘We would like to remind customers that these drivers are not vetted by the local authority nor are they accredited to convey customers for money.

‘More importantly, they are they not insured.

‘If an illegal taxi is involved in an accident while a customer is in the vehicle, neither will be eligible for an insurance payout regardless of injuries.

‘The driver’s services could also be deemed as fraudulent.’

Passengers are being urged to look out for warning signs that a cab is not authorised.

They include no taxi logo or company name on the vehicle, no local authority licence plate, no driver identification and lower prices than competitors.

Anyone with information such as vehicle registrations or suspicious activity is asked to call police on 101 or email [email protected].