Something on the streets of London has increased by more than a quarter in the past two years – and we’re not talking about hipsters.

The something is minicabs, which there are 26 per cent more of in the capital compared to 2013.

Data from the Department for Transport (DfT) shows the number of private hire vehicles (PHVs) has risen to 62,800.

Over the past decade PHVs have increased by 57 per cent.

In contrast, the number of black cabs has increased by only one per cent in the past two years to 22,500, and has gone up by eight per cent from 10 years ago.

Steve McNamara, general secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association, claimed the rise in minicabs was "not good news" for anyone in the capital.

He said: "The downside of this massive expansion is it's having a detrimental effect on London's traffic.

"They are clogging up the streets. Buses are not moving.

"The vast majority of people use public transport and this rise is having a massive detrimental effect on traffic.

"People could get a minicab pretty easy before (the rise). It's not good news for anyone."

On the issue of cab hire service Uber’s expansion being behind the rise in minicabs, Mr McNamara said: "The reason there has been such a massive expansion in private hire vehicles is because certain apps are selling a lifestyle expectation that simply cannot be achieved.

"They are selling an income potential to drivers that is unachievable."

He added London taxi numbers depend on the strength of the economy.

"Our numbers go up when the economy is booming and when it's not our numbers go down," he said. "At the moment the economy is bobbing along."

Uber issued a statement in response to the figures which claimed their car service is helping people in areas where transport links are not as strong as elsewhere.

The firm said: "The rise in the number of private hire licences really highlights the consumer demand for a convenient, cost effective way to get about town.

"Uber operates all over London and is seeing growth in areas that are traditionally under-served by taxi and public transport options.

"Uber partner-drivers make up less than 20 per cent of the private hire market."