1. Use only taxis (with the illuminated taxi sign) or licensed minicabs. Look for the green triangle license in the front and back windows of minicabs.
2. Cars cruising the streets are illegal and uninsured. Book a taxi or minicab in advance using a trusted, licensed company. Always ask for the driver’s name, as well as the make and colour of the car, and confirm the driver’s details when they arrive to check that this is the taxi you ordered.
3. When ordering a cab, do not let anyone overhear your name and address.
4. Share a minicab or taxi with friends where possible and arrange a buddy system by calling when you get home to inform your friends that you are home safe.
5. If you feel threatened at any time, trust your instincts. Ask the driver to stop in a busy area and get out of the car. If the driver refuses to stop – call the police on your mobile and alert other drivers and pedestrians by waving or calling out of the car.

The 18-year-old victim got into the private hire car between midnight and 0100 GMT at Twyford railway station on Sunday morning.

The vehicle was driven to School Lane in Wargrave where the woman was attacked by the driver.

A 28-year-old man, from west Reading, has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and released on bail.

Police are trying to trace a woman who the victim briefly spoke to after she got out of the car in School Lane.

She had been drinking with friends before trying to get home at about 0400 GMT on Christmas Day.

A dark grey car, possibly a Vauxhall Vectra, stopped as she walked along Park Road, police said.

The driver took her to Uldale Way in Gunthorpe and returned a short while later and tried to force his way in.

She managed to fight him off and he fled, police said.

The offender is described as 6ft (1.8m) of medium build, with short blond hair.

Det Sgt Adam Fraser said: “This was a terrifying incident for the victim who showed great bravery to fight off the attacker.

“I would appeal to anyone who saw the vehicle in Park Road or the man running off along Uldale Way following the attack.

“The offender may have sustained facial injuries during the incident and I would like to speak to anyone who has a friend or relative with unexplained marks on their face from around that time.

“I would also urge people to ensure they use licensed taxi companies and book in advance where possible.”

Mr Astor Murray, who was 49 was arrested by police in London for touting. As a procedure, his DNA was taken which then matched the forensic evidence of the crime.

At the Old Bailey, Mr Murray of Edmonton, North London was convicted of rape and indecent assault.

At a bust stop, the then 22 year old woman was offered a £10 minicab ride home. She accepted the ride and on the way, Mr Murray pulled into an industrial estate in Shoreditch and then assauted her.

The new Focus range which includes a saloon, a hatchback and an estate, is set to start rolling off production lines early next year and towards the end of 2011 we’ll be graced with an ECOnetic model. With a Low Speed Safety System, Blind Sport Information, Lane Keeping Aids, Lane Departure Warnings, Traffic Sign Recognition Systems and Adaptive Cruise Control, owners of the new Focus range should be the safest motorists on the road.

The Zone 2-6 Day Travelcard will be redrawn and commuters will have to buy the Zone 1-6 Travelcard instead.

According to Transport for London (TfL) statistics, less than 6000 passengers a day use the Zone 2-6 Travelcard daily which include about 300 using it at peak hours.

TfL advice passengers to look into using the Oyster pay-as-you-go system which works out cheaper.

“We are very concerned that these inflation-busting fares will price people off public transport,” said Jo deBank from London TravelWatch.

“Everyone will be hit, but it appears that infrequent users, those in outer London and visitors and tourists will be hit particularly hard.”

In Britain, people are seemingly conservative in the colour choice of their cars. Executive and luxury cars tend to sell at a higher price in the second-hand market if the colours are in black, grey and the silver. The more brighter colours do well with the sports and convertible cars with metallic paints adding extra value.

The Beardmore Paramount MK& was a complete shift away from the traditional builds. It was built in 1963 by Windovers Beardmores. Wings and Roofs were made of fibre glass and the body aluminium. The front passenger cabin was purposely design as a luggage space. It still sat 5 passengers with ashtrays built in for smoking passenger.