SECURITY STAKEOUT
As PHTM readers will know by now, we continue to run the Security Stakeout page(s) because of the serious nature of this issue, and the fact that drivers are continuously victims of passenger attacks of one kind or another. This time round we have four different licensing areas that have given the thumbs-up to the use of in-car CCTV cameras in their licensed vehicles. All very laudable, supportive and praiseworthy… only one problem: where does the money come from to fund these cameras? For instance, Sandwell Council will be consulting on the use of in-car cameras in their licensed vehicles. However, this coun- cil has one of the largest number of licensed PHVs in the country, nearly 1,000, plus 114 hackney carriages. We note that the council is considering advertising as a means to offset some of the expense, as has Sunderland. Has to happen! – as there is no way over a thousand drivers can fund that kind of expenditure. Any other funding ideas would be gratefully received.
12-MONTH CCTV TRIAL IN ROCHDALE TAXI
Taxi driver Mohammed Naseer will become the first person in Rochdale to trial a state-of-the-art miniature CCTV cam- era in his cab.
Mr Naseer volunteered to take part in the pilot, which is hoped will improve safety for drivers, after experi- encing abuse from drunken passengers. The hackney carriage driver told the Rochdale Observer: “Taxi driving can be a risky business. In the past I’ve suffered ver- bal and racial abuse by drunken passengers, riders have run away without paying their fares and some of my
colleagues have even been assaulted. I’m grateful to the council for installing CCTV into my cab and I’m hope- ful that it will minimise some of these person- al safety risks.” Police records show that between January 1 and June 30 there were 11 assaults on Rochdale cabbies. The council has bought two ‘cigarette- size’ cameras at £1,600 each in response to concerns from taxi operators. Licensing bosses are looking for a second driver to take part in the 12-month trial. The cameras will
record the conduct of passengers and if nec- essary the footage will be used as evidence in criminal prosecu- tion. If the trial is successful the use of CCTV will increase. The council’s public protection manager, Andy Glover, said: “We have a duty to protect our local taxi drivers. “We hope that the CCTV will make these individuals think twice about their behaviour from now on, but more importantly it will pro- vide us with valuable evidence to gain suc- cessful prosecutions against those who are abusive or violent.”
DRIVERS SPLIT OVER PLAN FOR CAMERAS IN SOUTH RIBBLE
New CCTV rules giving council chiefs access to images filmed inside taxis could be drawn up for firms across South Ribble. Members of the coun- cil’s licensing com- mittee are set to dis- cuss whether to draw up a policy on cam- eras in hackney carriages and private hire vehicles across the borough.
Officers say the cam- eras could help catch anyone who verbally or physically attacks a driver or runs off with- out paying. And the pictures and sound could also be used to investigate allegations
ADVERTS ON SUNDERLAND VEHICLES WILL PAY FOR IN-CAB CAMERAS
Taxis in Sunderland could soon be equipped with in-car CCTV cameras after drivers were given per- mission for fund- raising adverts on their vehicles.
Hackney carriages, in the city - which must be white - were banned from having adverts covering their cars. But Sunderland City Coun- cil decided to ease restrictions after hear- ing cabbies from the Independent Hackney Carriage Operators of Sunderland (IHCOS) group would use rev- enue from the ads to fund in-car CCTV. It is hoped the cam- eras, which are already on trial in two taxis, will be rolled out to nearly 50 vehicles. The £750 systems record the inside and immediately in front of
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to passengers travel- ling alone.
IHCOS chairman Michael Young, above right, has CCTV in his cab, with other drivers. Photo courtesy of the Sunderland Echo
the car, which must display signs saying CCTV is in operation. Drivers say the cam- eras will stamp out
attacks on cabbies and people who make off without paying. They also hope they will offer reassurance
Members of the coun- cil’s regulatory com- mittee have now passed the proposal and it is hoped the first taxis could be wrapped with adverts in a matter of weeks. The adverts, known in the trade as “stencil wraps”, will not cover council licensing badges or cab win- dows and can be changed once adver- tising campaigns end. IHCOS representative Ian Mills told the Sun- derland Echo: “Two cars have the cameras in and we’ve already had cases where the police have been able to prosecute.
“If people feel safer coming out in Sunder- land we might have more people coming into the city centre.”
made against drivers. The policy could give police and licensing officers at the council access to pictures taken by the cameras. Councillors were to dis- cuss the move at a meeting, but have insisted that it will not be mandatory for CCTV to be introduced in all taxis.
Members of the trade have said a decision to introduce and use cameras should be down to individual companies. Gary Sherlow, manager of Leyland Taxis, told the Lancashire Evening Post: “From my point of view it should be up to
the individuals as opposed to being a policy. I have thought about it myself because I have been attacked but it is just expense on top of expense.”
But an employee at another South Ribble taxi firm said: “One of our drivers was hijacked in town four or five months ago. He put CCTV in his car after that. I think it is a good thing.”
The council has con- firmed that a policy is being considered because some cars in the borough already have CCTV - but their use is not regulated.
SANDWELL TAXI CCTV PLANS DISCUSSED
Licensing chiefs have been discussing pro- posals to allow CCTV to be installed in all taxis across Sandwell. Taxi drivers have asked for permission to instal the equipment to improve safety. According to the Express and Star, licensing chiefs are expected to approve consultation for the equipment to be used in all PHVs and hack- ney carriages later this year.
They are also expect- ed to approve con- sultation on sugges- tions that security screens should be installed in all PHVs. It will not be recom- mended that security screens or CCTV in vehicles are mandato- ry, but it will be suggested that vehicle licence holders be
allowed the option of installing the security measures.
The authority currently has 1,131 licensed pri- vate hire taxi drivers, 32 hackney carriage drivers and 187 driv- ers who hold dual licences.
There are 959 regis- tered PHVs and 114 hackney carriages serving the borough. If proposals are approved it would be the responsibility of the driver to pay for any security devices. However, the report being discussed by the borough’s licens- ing miscellaneous committee is also asking councillors to consider the approval of advertising on the security and CCTV screens as a means to offset some or all of the installation cost.
PHTM SEPTEMBER 2010
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