A major authority has handed down penalties of more than £20,000 to pedicab operators and unlawful street vendors as part of new plans to keep Britons safe.

The enforcement action launched by Westminster City Council marks the first major crackdown since new regulations were introduced.

Nine pedicab operators, including several repeat offenders, received some of the largest individual penalties totalling £9,075.

The riders were convicted under the Control of Pollution Act 1974, with fines, costs and victim surcharges ranging from £750 to £1,460.

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Five unlicensed street traders operating on Westminster Bridge, selling items including peanuts and balloons, received convictions totalling £11,127.50. One vendor was convicted for the second time in two months, having previously sold hotdogs illegally.

A shop on Charing Cross Road received the largest single fine of £3,382 after repeatedly ignoring warnings about selling souvenir goods on the street. Although the company was dissolved before the court hearing, the director was held personally liable and convicted.

Westminster City Council's City Inspectors gathered evidence for the pedicab prosecutions, working alongside enforcement teams to target hotspot areas.

The council is now considering stronger measures including injunctions or banning orders for the most persistent offenders. Three additional cases involving street traders were adjourned.

GETTY | Drivers could now be fined for not operating pedicabs correctly

The enforcement action comes as Transport for London prepares to implement its first licensing scheme for pedicabs in early 2026. A consultation earlier this year revealed significant public concerns about the unregulated industry.

Three-quarters of respondents reported feeling unsafe when using pedicabs in the capital, with an overwhelming 96 per cent supporting controls on music and audio from the vehicles, with more than 2,400 comments specifically addressing noise issues.

The consultation also found that 85 per cent of users believed pedicab fares were excessive. Nearly all respondents backed criminal background checks for drivers and mandatory insurance requirements.

Currently, pedicabs remain the only unregulated form of public transport in London, leading to inconsistent service standards and documented cases of overcharging tourists.

Westminster's enforcement teams continue to patrol high-traffic areas, educating visitors about the dangers of using unregulated pedicabs while collaborating with the Metropolitan Police to prosecute breaches of current legislation.

The local authority's actions form part of interim measures while Transport for London finalises its structured licensing scheme.

TfL's regulations are expected to introduce requirements including one-year driver licences, criminal background checks, and regular vehicle inspections.

The proposed framework would bring pedicabs in line with taxi and private hire vehicle standards, addressing longstanding issues around fare transparency and anti-social behaviour.

TFL | Pedicabs will be regulated in the same way taxis and private vehicles are across London

Westminster Councillor Aicha Less said: "This is Westminster, not the Wild West.

"These fines send a clear message: if you break the rules in our city, you will end up out of pocket and out of excuses.

"While we work with TfL to finalise a structured licensing scheme, our City Inspectors continue to prosecute pedicab drivers and partner with our neighbours in Lambeth and in the Metropolitan Police to ensure unsuspecting tourists are not ripped off."