CCTV YOUR SECURITY MANDATORY TAXI CCTV PROPOSAL SCRAPPED IN
CHESTERFIELD AS DRIVERS FEAR COST IMPLICATIONS
Chesterfield Borough Council has scrapped a proposal to make cabbies install CCTV in their vehicles at their own expense after an outpouring of concern over the costs involved. The Derbyshire Times reports that a consultation was held by the council over whether to make CCTV in taxis and PHVs mandatory, however drivers commented that the cost to install it, likely to run into hundreds of pounds, would be too high for an already ‘strained’ trade. One respondent simply wrote: “Cost, cost, cost.”
Another stated: “The cost should be covered by the council itself. It’s not fair on drivers who contribute a lot towards the council with fees etc. anyway.
Adding this to our costs
would be substantial for us and many will not be able to afford it.” Many respondents saw the benefit of having CCTV in increased safety to both passengers and drivers, however many stated it should be left up to the drivers themselves whether they should have it or not. One respondent stated: “Should be drivers’ choice if they want CCTV, too
much big brother.” A spokesperson for the council said: “All local authorities are legally required to consult on whether there is reasonable local cause to make the use of CCTV mandatory. “After considering the results of the council’s recent public consultation on the issue – which invited taxi drivers, operators, owners and partners to put forward their views – members of the appeals and regulatory committee concluded that, on balance, it was not proportionate to require all drivers to install CCTV at this time.”
CONSULTATION ON MANDATORY CCTV IN UTTLESFORD TAXIS AND PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLES
CCTV could become mandatory in taxis and PHVs in Uttlesford district in a bid to safeguard children and vulnerable adults. Uttlesford District Council is in the process of identifying whether the measures would improve the safety of local taxis and PHVs or result in privacy issues. EssexLive reports that the council’s Licensing and Environmental Health Committee approved an eight-week public consultation on the plans at a meeting on Tuesday 12 July. According to the draft survey, both video and audio recording is being considered. This comes after the DfT set out a series of recommendations to local authorities aimed at protect- ing passengers. Licensing officer Steven Mahoney said at the meeting: “Most of those mea- sures have been adhered to already, we’ve ticked most of those boxes. But the one we haven’t done is a consulta- tion on the CCTV in taxis and PHVs.” During the consultation period, the requirements for CCTV provision in
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taxis and private hire vehicles would be advertised to the public, according to Mr Mahoney. Once the data has been gathered, the findings will be presented at a second committee meeting in October. The public will be asked for their opinions on audio and video CCTV and whether they believe it will have an impact on passenger safety. They will also be asked if they think any benefits to public safety would
NPHTA COMMENT:
Chelmsford trade echos the sentiments of the UK industry; the issue is not invasion of privacy, or lack of desire, only affordability, even more so in light of the struggles after the effects of Covid.
We keep encouraging councils to apply for funding, but we make it clear that the funding must be applied for on the basis of public safety (including that of drivers) and enhancing the existing street level CCTV schemes by creating a mobile network of systems, patrolling their regions, 24/7.
According to recent statistics released, only three councils throughout the UK do not allow or mandate CCTV within their licensed vehicles, this is under review and will be down to one, or maybe zero by 2023.
AUGUST 2022
outweigh any adverse effects on privacy, or the costs to the drivers. A specific set of questions will also be asked to cabbies responding to the survey, including on whether they already have CCTV in their vehicles and whether passengers have ever complained or made positive comments. According to a council report, any CCTV provision would have to comply with data protection laws.
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