- Reference: 2024/0361
- Question by: Caroline Pidgeon
- Meeting date: 18 January 2024
I have been made aware of Operation GADI which targeted taxi touts operating at Heathrow Airport. I understand it used Arabic speaking decoy officers posing as passengers arriving from abroad and that the operation over 2 days broke up an organised crime gang and resulted in 6 arrests for taxi touting, 15 traffic offence reports ranging from no insurance, speeding tickets, ANPR evasion and other offences. Do you consider this operation a success and, if so, will you provide adequate funding (365 days/year) for a dedicated squad of police officers at Heathrow Airport to eradicate the touting problem?