Revellers were today being warned 'rogue' unlicensed taxis could be on Oxford's streets tomorrow night to take advantage of a lack of New Year night buses.

No night services will be running in the city on New Year's Eve - leaving taxis and minicabs to pick up thousands of people wanting to get home after seeing in 2007.

Firms spoken to yesterday said some people were already booking cabs for their big night, but there was a fear unlicensed drivers may pose as taxis to pick up the extra trade.

Saj Rana, owner of 24 Seven Taxis of Cricket Road, Cowley, said: "With no buses there will probably be a few rogue 'taxis' out there pretending to be the real thing just to get the money."

Insp Graham Sutherland, of Oxford police, said: "We are aware that there have been some rogue taxis in Oxford of late. We are concerned that people will take the opportunity of a special occasion like this to take advantage of people.

"Anyone in a decent saloon car can mingle with other cars and pick up people on the pretence of being a genuine taxi.

"Our advice is book a car and ask for the driver's name at the same time. We also rely on doorstaff who often know who the genuine drivers are. Some clubs have courtesy phones so that people can phone genuine firms."

He added: "Women in particular may be vulnerable on occasions of celebration and again our advice is not to go with strangers and don't go home alone but go with a friend or someone they know."

Stagecoach dropped its usual New Year's night services because it falls on a Sunday this year. It wanted to allow its drivers time off to enjoy the celebrations and allow them to be ready for service changes which come into effect in the New Year.

Mr Rana said: "We've had a lot of bookings so far, 20 after midnight."

Pam Robinson, of ABC Taxis in Cowley, said the number of bookings they had taken ran into "double figures", but were "no more than usual". She added: "I think a lot of young people will go out and try to flag one down on the night."

Mohammed Amir Sayaf, the assistant manager of Royal Cars of Cowley Road, which has a fleet of 175 private hire cars, said bookings were between 30 and 40 per cent more than usual.

Radiotaxis of Magdalen Road, said they had taken 20 bookings so far for New Year's Eve.

Mr Sutherland urged everyone to have a good time but to do so safely and without causing any problems.

He said: "I'm confident that the vast majority of people will enjoy themselves responsibly, it is a small minority who take their drinking too far and cause trouble and they will be dealt with robustly."