CCTV - YOUR SECURITY
NORTH EAST DERBYSHIRE COUNCIL MAKES CCTV COMPULSORY
CCTV in North East Debyshire taxis and PHVs has been made compulsory. The Derbyshire Times reports that the decision was made in a bid to improve safety by North East Derbyshire Dis- trict Council (NEDDC) on 4 October. A report to the council stated that the cost of the cameras would be split between taxi owners and the local authority. The council said it would need to bear the cost of buying and maintaining equipment to access footage and pay for staff to obtain and view footage. Training will also be required for vehicle inspectors to verify installation as well as data protection guidance for drivers. Cllr Heather Liggett said after speaking
to taxi drivers, she was shocked at how many of them were in favour. “They say it will make their lives easier,” she said. Derbyshire’s Police and Crime Commis- sioner, Angelique Foster, has offered her full backing to NEDDC after it became the first in the county to make CCTV compulsory in taxis. Commissioner Angelique Foster has already thrown down the gauntlet to local councils throughout Derbyshire to follow NEDDC’s lead by writing to every local authority in Derbyshire to encourage full take-up of the approach. Following discussions with other licens- ing officers across Derbyshire, it is understood that other local authorities are preparing to consult the public on a
range of new measures to boost safety, which may include the use of CCTV. The DfT issued Statutory Guidance in 2020 suggesting that CCTV can provide a deterrent to prevent crime and help bring perpetrators to justice. Derbyshire police recently used footage taken from a taxi CCTV camera to assist in providing evidence to tackle a County Line that exploited young people and vulnerable adults in Derby City. The cru- cial footage enabled officers to submit compelling evidence which led to the successful prosecution of 11 individuals who received more than 40 years behind bars. Meanwhile, a number of vulnerable children were identified and safeguarded from the gang.
CRAVEN CABBIES GIVEN UNTIL NEW YEAR TO GET CCTV CAMERAS FITTED
Craven taxi and private hire drivers will have to have CCTV cameras fitted in their vehicles from 1 January 2022. The council’s Licensing Committee determined to mandate taxi cameras in all vehicles from the new year following DfT advice that CCTV increases public safety. The district is the first in North Yorkshire to make them mandatory. After deferring implementation of the policy for two years, the licensing com- mittee agreed it should now be brought in without further delay. Cllr Simon Myers, chairman of the Licensing Committee, said: “Taxi cam- eras should provide an additional deterrence to prevent risks to both passengers and drivers, and they can also add investigative value when the council or the police are required to look into incidents or complaints against drivers or passengers.” There will also be a Hardship Policy where drivers not able to afford the £450 to £630 cost of instalment will be
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able to apply for a longer period of time to get a camera fitted in order to save up. Drivers who apply for hardship exemp- tion will be assessed by the licensing manager, the chairman and deputy chairman of the licensing committee and the council solicitor. New taxi and PHVs have been required to have cameras installed since the start of 2021 and so far, 15 have had them fitted. The decision sparked a protest by cab- bies on 20 October with around 30 taxis and PHVs taking part in a rolling roadblock in Skipton. The protest was organised by cab driver Peter Hubbuck and involved circuits of the high street lasting around 15 minutes in a convoy of vehicles from the bus station car park. Mr Hubbuck said: “Craven DC’s licens- ing committee must think taxi drivers are made of money by making drivers pay for something they don’t want and the general public don’t want,” he said.
“Times have been very difficult over the past 18 months and we have had no help whatsoever from the council; whereas in other council districts there has been free badges, free plates, hand sanitiser, the list goes on. “A camera costs approximately £500 – an amount that most of the drivers do not have as we are still trying to catch up on our bills. Taxi fares have not increased in the last 10 years, and the cost of living has gone up.” In response a spokesperson from the council said: “The council approved the CCTV in taxi scheme after we consulted widely with the trade and the public over several years. The council has delayed the scheme three times after listening to feedback and concerns from the trade and taking into account the financial impact of the pandemic. “However, when the scheme was recently brought back again it was agreed all licensed vehicles should have CCTV. ”
NOVEMBER 2021
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