Uber hits back as London officials clamp down on firm

Uber faces losing its licence. Photo / AP

Hundreds of thousands of people have signed a petition calling for Transport for London to reverse its decision to strip Uber's licence in the capital.

Save Your Uber in London was set up on the Change.org website after it was announced the firm would not have its licence renewed when it expires on September 30.

The petition had gained more than 400,000 signatures yesterday, just hours after being launched.

TfL said Uber was "not fit and proper" to operate in the capital and it took the decision on the grounds of "public safety and security implications".

But Uber, which is used by 3.5 million people and 40,000 drivers in London, hit back, saying it would appeal and claiming the move "would show the world that, far from being open, London is closed to innovative companies".

A union representing Uber drivers said its members faced going bust because they rely on money from fares to pay for their cars.

Opponents of the firm claim it causes gridlocked roads and does not do enough to regulate drivers.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan wants London to be "at the forefront of innovation and new technology" but insisted that companies must "play by the rules".

He went on: "Providing an innovative service must not be at the expense of customer safety and security.

"I fully support TfL's decision - it would be wrong if TfL continued to license Uber if there is any way that this could pose a threat to Londoners' safety and security."

Last month, Uber was accused by police of allowing a driver who sexually assaulted a passenger to strike again by not reporting the attack, along with other serious crimes.