Uber could soon be a thing of the past in London.

Transport for London (TfL) deemed the ride-hailing company "not fit" to hold a private hire operator licence.

As a result, TfL told Uber that it will not be issued with a licence after its current one expires at the end of September.

TfL believes Uber's approach has "potential public safety and security implications" including its approach to reporting serious criminal offences.

Uber has vowed to appeal this decision and can continue to operate until any appeal processes have been exhausted.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said in a statement: "I want London to be at the forefront of innovation and new technology and to be a natural home for exciting new companies that help Londoners by providing a better and more affordable service.

"However, all companies in London must play by the rules and adhere to the high standards we expect - particularly when it comes to the safety of customers.

"Providing an innovative service must not be at the expense of customer safety and security.

"I fully support TfL's decision - it would be wrong if TfL continued to license Uber if there is any way that this could pose a threat to Londoners' safety and security.

"Any operator of private hire services in London needs to play by the rules."

Uber, which is used by 3.5 million people and 40,000 drivers in London, has hit back.

Its general manager in London Tom Elvidge claimed the users of its app "will be astounded by this decision".

He said: "By wanting to ban our app from the capital, Transport for London and the mayor have caved in to a small number of people who want to restrict consumer choice.

"If this decision stands, it will put more than 40,000 licensed drivers out of work and deprive Londoners of a convenient and affordable form of transport.

"To defend the livelihoods of all those drivers, and the consumer choice of millions of Londoners who use our app, we intend to immediately challenge this in the courts."

He went on: "Uber operates in more than 600 cities around the world, including more than 40 towns and cities here in the UK.

"This ban would show the world that, far from being open, London is closed to innovative companies who bring choice to consumers."

Labour MP Wes Streeting, chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Taxis, said: "This is a courageous decision by the Mayor and Transport for London, finally drawing a line in the sand to make it clear that no company, however big and powerful, will be allowed to flout our laws and regulations or jeopardise Londoners' safety without facing serious consequences.

"Uber has not shown itself to be a fit and proper operator. It stands accused by the police of failing to properly handle serious allegations of rape and sexual assault of passengers.

MP for Carshalton and Wallington, Tom Brake, commented: “Uber has undeniably revolutionised the way in which people travel in London and other major cities.

“We need to preserve these benefits whilst ensuring that concerns over passenger safety and working practices are properly addressed.

“Hopefully these issues will be resolved and Uber will make the changes needed to create a level playing field with other operators.

"It should be possible to find a solution that works for consumers and employees while making clear that no company is above the law."