CCTV: YOUR SECURITY
FUNDING IN WEST SUFFOLK FOR CCTV PILOT SCHEME - PROTECTS PASSENGER & DRIVER SAFETY
West Suffolk Council has secured funding for a voluntary pilot scheme that will see CCTV installed in 30 taxis – 10 in Bury St Edmunds, 10 in Haverhill and another 10 in Newmarket. It comes just weeks after the Casey report on the child grooming scandal, and the allegation that taxi/PH were involved, which means it is crucial that the industry has measures in place, to protect drivers as well as the industry, from serious allegations. While the council has not been made aware of such allegations in West Suffolk, it nevertheless takes public safety including that of
customers and drivers, seriously. The CCTV pilot scheme has been secured with funding from Suffolk Community Foundation through the Serious Violence Duty Grant making Programme. The six- month scheme which will cost around £18,000, will be entirely voluntary. But if the pilot proves successful, the council can consult with the rest of the 600 taxi fleet on options to take it forward. A council spokesperson said: “We are hoping that drivers and operators will see the advantages of CCTV in their vehicles. It offers protection and reassurance customers when passenger safety
to
has been flagged through the Casey report. West Suffolk taxi drivers can take advantage of this offer by emailing:
licensing@westsuffolk.gov.uk - include Taxi CCTV in the subject line. So, drivers what are you waiting for, get protected, get covered, get insurance discounts and get it all free, including front facing camera, monitor, switch controlled audio, one month average recording cycle. This offer does not come around often! Thank you to West Suffolk council and Tim Cleary, Senior Licensing Policy Office for his efforts in making this happen.
PORTSMOUTH COUNCILLOR CALLS FOR MANDATORY CCTV IN ALL PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLES
Portsmouth city leaders are demanding action to
close a
dangerous taxi licensing loophole after a passenger was allegedly sexually harassed by a driver licensed in Wolverhampton. The incident, which reportedly occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, July 2, involved a 44- year-old woman who said the driver made sexual advances toward her while taking her home from the hospital. The vehicle was licensed by The City of Wolverhampton Council, which has been criticised for its more
lenient and cheaper
application process. Portsmouth councillors argue that Wolverhampton’s lower standards, which do not require CCTV, undermine Portsmouth’s
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stricter safety measures. “All of that is being undermined by vehicles licensed in places like Wolverhampton, where standards are far lower,” said Councillor Emily Strudwick, chair of the licensing committee. “We have
no
enforcement power over them, and it puts the public at risk.” The woman reported the incident to police after feeling unheard by the private hire firm. A police spokesperson confirmed a 32-year- old man from Portsmouth was arrested on suspicion of “attempting sexual assault on a female and using threatening or abusive words to
cause
harassment, alarm, or distress.” He remains in custody. Councillor George Madgwick, leader of the Portsmouth Indepen-
dents Party, urged residents to avoid Wolverhampton-plated taxis, citing the lack of CCTV as a failure in “deterrent, protection, and accountability.” He added: “I’m calling on the government to close the loopholes, ban out-of-area vehicles, and mandate CCTV in all private hire vehicles.” A spokesperson for The City of Wolverhampton Council stated they take enforcement seriously and that their officers are "out across the country, every Friday and Saturday night, working to protect the public." They added that CCTV was not considered proportionate for Wolverhampton because drivers could turn it off, but noted that panic-switch- activated audio recording systems are permitted.
AUGUST 2025 PHTM
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