Uber is to introduce new police reporting measures and a 24 hour complaints hotline in a bid to improve safety in its minicabs and win back the confidence of customers and regulators.

The new safety proposals will see Uber sharing more reports of serious incidents with police. Uber had previously relied on passengers to make complaints, but now will actively pass on rider tip offs about serious incidents during trips.

The move follows a decision by Transport for London (TfL) to strip Uber of its London private hire licence in September last year over concerns the ride-hailing giant was not a "fit and proper" operator. It comes just one day after TfL published plans for new regulations that would hit ride-hailing apps like Uber.

"Over the last few years we’ve led the way with pioneering technology which enhances safety like GPS tracking of every trip and our two-way rating system," said Uber UK general manger Tom Elvridge.

"But we recognise we can use our technology to go even further in setting a higher standard for private hire and other transport options."

Uber's policy change to proactively inform police of incidents comes after the company was attacked by the Metropolitan Police in a letter to TfL last year.