Anyone planning a festive tipple over Christmas and New Year is being urged to plan their journey home before the party gets underway.

Carmarthenshire Community Safety Partnership, working with the council’s public protection and road safety teams, as well as Dyfed Powys Police, are encouraging revellers to save the Cab Safe number – 83222 - in their phones.

Then, by texting the word ‘Cab’ when they’re ready to book their lift, they’ll get the numbers of their three nearest licensed taxi firms regardless of where they are in the county.

It is hoped the Cab Safe scheme will help in a number of ways – preventing drink driving, ensuring people use licensed taxis, getting people home safely late at night, and not least of all - driving rogue taxi drivers out of town.

The council’s licensing team have joined forces with the police to carry out joint enforcement across the county to clamp down on rogue taxi drivers who are operating without an appropriate license, and therefore no insurance.

Carmarthenshire Council Head of Housing and Public Protection Robin Staines: “Alcohol and driving is a lethal combination and many people take advantage of the taxi service, but people should check that the taxi is licensed and reputable before they get in. We are urging people to be on their guard.”

Executive Board Member for Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “This is a very busy period for the taxi industry and there will inevitably be rogue cabbies looking to cash in.

“We want to protect the public from unscrupulous drivers and protect the reputable taxi firms in the county.”

Drivers should always wear identification badges and taxis are usually parked at known ranks, or their numbers can be found in various directories online.

Hackney carriages, which can be flagged down by the roadside, always have a roof sign, which is illuminated when they are available for hire. They also display two identifying white door stickers and a white plate on the back bumper. Taxis should display a list of fares for passengers and be fitted with meters, which should always begin with an initial charge of £2.20 before 10pm and £2.40 afterwards.

Private hire vehicles can only be pre-booked and not stopped in the street. They carry two identifying yellow door stickers and a yellow plate on the back bumper.

To report an unlicensed cab, or for more information, contact the council’s licensing section on 01267 234567 or email licensing.