SECURITY STAKEOUT HULL FIRM SPENT £100K ON CCTV
A private hire compa- ny has spent more than £100,000 on CCTV cameras and safety equipment. Firms are looking to reassure people follow- ing the case of self-employed private hire driver Paul Hewitt who indecently assault- ed female customers in the city.
Now Costello Cars, in
West Hull, wants to reassure customers it is investing money in its cars to protect driv- ers and passengers. Some of its vehicles have been fitted with CCTV cameras and customers are sent a text message a minute before their cab arrives stating the dri- ver’s name, car details and registration plate.
The company can also track its driver to ensure their safety. Owner of Costello Cars, Darren Beckett, told the Hull Daily Mail: “All the equip- ment has cost more than £100,000, but it has been worth the investment. We’ve had phenomenal feedback from our customers.”
CCTV FOR CABS IN HASTINGS
Hastings taxis are set to be fitted with CCTV cameras as standard with the boss of one leading firm describing racist abuse to drivers as “out of control”. Chris Vale, who man- ages NPHA member 24/7 Taxis, spoke out after a customer who admitted racially abus- ing one of his drivers avoided prison.
The victim, who is Kur- dish, said foreign drivers are subjected to racist comments at least twice a day. Now Mr Vale is sup- porting a council scheme, funded by the Safer Hastings Partnership and over- seen by the licensing team, to put CCTV cameras into taxis across the town.
A council spokesman told the Hastings and St Leonards Observer: “It’s likely to take place over several phases but we are confident that this is a positive move, increasing safe- ty for both driver and passenger.
These
cameras will go a long way in providing an extra element of pro- tection against abuse.”
COST DELAYS KIRKLEES CCTV PLAN
Kirklees council is still delving into the ques- tion of CCTV for taxis, while the issue of who foots the bill has yet to be resolved.
Cab firms say drivers most at risk should get preferential treatment on CCTV but admit the cost is a worry.
Council officers, how- ever, have already met suppliers of security cameras and say some good systems are available.
At a meeting of the licensing committee last month, licensing manager Catherine Walter said there was now around £28,000 available for taxi CCTV.
“We will be going out to tender but we have met suppliers and seen some very good systems,” she said. “Hopefully, there will be some action very soon.”
Chairman Cllr Chris- tine Iredale said: “Priority should go to those drivers most subject to attack.” Amkjad Nadeem, vice- chairman of Kirklees Hackney Carriage Association, told the Dewsbury Reporter: “Private hire drivers have much more infor- mation about their passengers than hack- ney carriage drivers. There should be pref-
erential treatment for them but the cost of all this is a concern for us.”
Councillors heard that CCTV could cost £400 per vehicle. Cllr Derrick Yates said the council could not afford to foot the bill for the scheme.
Cllr Derek Hardcastle said: “Drivers are vul- nerable, the council should pay half.” The Safer Stronger Communities board has made £25,000 available for taxi CCTV or protective shields or screens in cabs. The trade has indicat- ed support for the scheme.
DARTFORD DRIVERS DEMAND CCTV
Taxi drivers are demanding better lighting at Dartford sta- tion and CCTV in their cars after two cabbies were attacked.
ALL RECORDED ON AUDIO & SCREEN
Eddie McCann and Owen Palmer, both 65, were beaten up by two men at Dartford sta- tion’s taxi rank following a dispute over a fare. Mr Palmer, a cabbie for 15 years, nicknamed OJ, was knocked to the ground unconscious and may not return to work due to the trauma of the attacks, which happened shortly after midnight on February 16.
Mr McCann, who has been a taxi driver for 12 years, told the Dartford and Gravesend News: “Owen got out of his vehicle and his attack- ers got hold of him and started punching and kicking him.”
WIDE RANGE OF PRODUCTS ALWAYS IN STOCK
MOBILE FITTING SERVICE
AVAILABLE
Drivers also want Dart- ford Council to fit CCTV inside taxis to improve security, after Gravesham Council installed cameras in cabs last year.
Mr McCann said: ‘We need better lighting. I don’t think it is ade- quate. I‘m nervous now. Once you get to
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the front of the queue late at night you start to think who will be going to come.’
A Dartford Council spokeswoman said: “Gravesham Council did not pay for CCTV for taxis, it received a grant from the Urban EEC Fund after a driv- er was murdered. This funding stream is now closed.”
A spokesman for Southeastern, which manages the station, said: “We are con- cerned about this incident and will be consulting with British Transport Police to ensure the lighting outside the station is acceptable.”
As a result of having heard about these bru- tal attacks, a vehicle safety specialist, Brigade Electronics, has donated digital recording systems to the two drivers who were attacked.
The palm size system has two cameras, one which records the road ahead and a sec- ond camera which records the driver’s environment. Dual Vision is ideal for driv- ers worried about their personal security and
can also act as a deterrent.
Brigade’s Marketing Executive, Emily Ran- dall, said: “We were appalled at the obvi- ous security risk posed to these taxi drivers, so we decided to donate a Dual Vision vehicle CCTV device to Mr McCann and Mr Palmer.” Mr Palmer comment- ed: “I want to say a big thank-you to Brigade Electronics. The cam- era will act as a deterrent for a start and that’s the most important thing. Sec- ond, it gives you confidence. During the day my job is a walk in the park, but night shifts are different.” Mr McGann, former chairman of Dartford Taxi Association, said: “It will help me and Owen feel safe. Peo- ple are aware they are on camera and start behaving themselves.” Dual Vision can be easily fitted to the cab windscreen with a tamper proof housing to prevent sabotage. The system has inte- grated GPS tracking and can also be used to refute false insur- ance claims.
PHTM APRIL 2010
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