CCTV: YOUR SECURITY


DELAY ANNOUNCED TO CCTV IMPLEMENTATION FOR SWINDON’S TAXI AND PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLES


The expected date for mandatory CCTV in Swindon taxis and private hire vehicles may slip. Last September members of Swindon BC’s licensing committee authorised the licensing manager to draft a policy on mandating CCTV in both hackney and private hire vehicles – and to bring it back to the committee. The aim was to start on January 1, 2024, for new licence applications and April next year for renewed licences.


But the council’s head of regulatory services, Kate Bishop, told the committee that staff shortages had put the work towards the back burner: “Within the last ten months a number of licensing officers and the licensing manager have left the borough council. “This has meant that the progress expected has not been made as the resources and expertise have not been available. As a result, the timeline and work requirement are


currently being reviewed.” Chairman on the committee Cllr John Ballman said: “We’ll let this go back on the agenda for the September meeting and we’ll see where we are then.” The council has been discussing and consulting on bringing CCTV into all taxis and PHVs in the borough since at least 2019. Drivers have expressed concern with making it mandatory owing to the cost and also privacy and security issues.


GOSPORT TAXIS TO GET CCTV AFTER SOUTHAMPTON PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER JAILED


CCTV is set to be introduced in all taxis within the borough of Gosport after private hire driver, Hardeep Landa, was convicted of sexually assaulting a passenger in Southampton. Gosport Borough Council has pledged to make CCTV in taxis and private hire vehicles mandatory in the wake of Landa’s imprisonment. The Southampton cab driver, 30, was jailed for six years and eight months in May after sexually assaulting a 21-year-old passenger in his car at St Mary’s Road car park.


Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) later wrote a letter to the secretary of state for transport to


change national


licensing guidance. Gosport council’s Regulatory Board agreed that the new CCTV rules for all new taxis in the borough which is due to be


50


implmented by April 1, 2025. Deputy Leader, Cllr Robert Hylands, said: “I’m very proud that Gosport is leading the way among smaller councils in the county to help make taxis safer.” The PCC added: “This move makes Gosport the first borough council in the county to commitment to


show its keeping its


residents safe. “The introduction of regular background criminal checks and drug testing for new applicants and randomly for licensed drivers is also welcome. “My ambition as Commissioner is to encourage all councils to follow suit. At a national level, I will continue to lobby the government to make sure passengers and drivers alike are afforded the maximum protection.” The council also agreed to introduce six-monthly DBS checks


for drivers, and to start drug testing for new applicants and random drug testing for licensed drivers.


Southampton City Council’s licensing requirements for hackneys and private hire vehicles already require CCTV to be fitted. Speaking after Landa’s sentencing, Phil Bates, Licensing Manager at Southampton City Council, said: “The council undertakes robust checks on all drivers it licenses, including an enhanced police check every six months. “This case highlights the excellent working relationship between the police and council officers by facilitating the immediate revocation of the licence and the sharing of evidence, it also appears to be a prime example of the benefits of mandating the fitting of permanently recording taxi cameras.”


SEPTEMBER 2023 PHTM


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