POLICE are warning townsfolk to make sure they use licensed taxis after an incident on Saturday night when a woman got into a dispute over a fare and was threatened.

The 22 year old got a taxi from the town centre with a friend, who was dropped off first before the woman was taken on to Headless Cross.

The driver demanded a fare which was more than double the normal rate and when the woman refused to pay, he locked the doors and threatened to take her back to the town centre.

When the woman said she would call the police, the driver agreed to accept the standard fare and let her out of the car.

A police spokesman said: "Our initial inquiries into this incident suggest the woman and her friend were not in a licensed taxi.

"Both Hackney carriage taxis and private hire taxis operate in Redditch and are easily identifiable.

"Hackney carriages have a clearly visible roof sign and will have a licence plate on the rear of the vehicle or in the back window.

"These can be hailed or picked up at a taxi rank and will have a meter inside displaying the fare.

"Private hire taxis must be booked in advance by telephone and the rate should be agreed at the time of booking.

"They will also have a licence plate displayed on the car."

Drivers of both kinds of taxis must wear an identity badge with the Redditch Council logo on.