CCTV - YOUR SECURITY
CAMERAS COULD BE INSTALLED IN HUNDREDS OF DERBY TAXIS AND PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLES
CCTV cameras could be installed in hundreds of taxis and private hire vehicles to help reduce crime in Derby. According to the Derby Telegraph, the idea of CCTV cameras in taxis and PHVs was first introduced as a part of the Statutory Taxi & Private Hire Standards released by the Government last year. The regulations suggested all licensing authorities should consult to ascertain whether or not there are circumstances which indicate that CCTV in taxis would benefit users and/or drivers - taking into account any potential privacy issues. A Derby City Council report says CCTV in taxis can provide a safer environ- ment for drivers and passengers by deterring and preventing the occur- rence of crime, reducing the fear of crime, assisting the police in investigat- ing incidents of crime and assisting insurance companies in investigating motor vehicle accidents. However, should the results of a public consultation find there is a need for CCTV cameras in taxi and private hire vehicles in Derby – then it is likely to come at an expensive cost for the drivers themselves. That is because the report states that an approximate cost for having a CCTV camera in a vehicle would be around £500. It adds that some councils in the UK have a “mandatory condition” for the fitting of the cameras – which could mean taxi drivers in Derby could be left without a choice on the matter and have to pay the fee. The report says: “Any CCTV system would be required to be of a high specification so that images were clear enough for use in any litigious (legal or court) purpose. “There is an approximate cost to vehi- cles owners of approximately £500.” Maddy Ahmed from PJ Cars – a taxi firm in Derby – felt having CCTV in a taxi should be a matter of choice for
DECEMBER 2021
the driver and should not be made compulsory.
Mr Ahmed said: “I think it is a brilliant idea for the driver’s safety and the passengers safety. I think it should go ahead. “There’s so many situations where this problem with the customer and the driver and it goes further with the police. CCTV can save one another – you can see whose fault it is, it’s all there. “The cost (approximate £500) is concerning, and drivers are struggling with the fuel crisis at the moment. This on top would be a bit of a burden but I think it should be a choice for the driver.” Members of the city council’s licensing committee discussed whether there is a need for CCTV cameras in taxis and PHVs in the city and whether the council needs to act in any way at a meeting on Thursday 4 November. At that meeting, two councillors were involved in a fiery exchange when discussing the plans. According to the Derby Telegraph, a 12- week public consultation is set to be launched on the proposal in the near future. But a suggested start date has not yet been announced, which con- cerned Conservative Cllr Rob Cooper. The Chaddesden councillor told a licensing committee meeting that he felt “slow progress” was being made on a “very important matter” as recom- mendations to councils were made in 2020 and a consultation should start as soon as possible. He called on the licensing committee to “expedite” the consultation process so progress could be made.
Cllr Cooper said: “I would like to make a recommendation to committee that this is an expedited consultation and relevant resources are put in to make sure this is done as soon as possible to try and get some progress going on this matter.” But Liberal Democrat councillor and chair of the Licensing committee Ajit Atwal strongly opposed Mr Cooper’s proposed recommendation and said he was satisfied with the pace the council officers were dealing with the issue. Cllr Atwal said: “I don’t think there is any need for the recommendation and the officers have made it quite clear that it is going to go out to consulta- tion. They are looking into it, everything is in working order – so no there’s no need for this recommendation. Cllr Cooper then tried to come back with a point. But Cllr Atwal responded: “Don’t butt in, let me finish. I’m the Chair. It is as it is, the officers will deal with it and once they have dealt with it, it will go out to consultation.” Cllr Cooper then said: “So just to be clear Chair, you don’t want to expedite this to make some progress on this matter. We don’t have a date.” Mr Atwal, who represents the Abbey ward, then said: “For the second time can you stop butting in? I’m trying to control a meeting here. I’m not going to take another question off you. It’s in the hands of the officers and the officers will deal with it.” City officer Mike Kay said the coron- avirus pandemic had delayed the consultation process and due to a limited staffing resources in the licens- ing team, time was spent on bigger priorities relating to taxi issues. Derby Council said there is a total of 985 taxis in Derby which includes almost 200 hackney carriages. However, the council could not give a figure on how many of those taxis already had CCTV cameras installed.
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