Taxi Driver Online

Purely coincidental that the article about crime and policing posted in another thread yesterday was about Colchester.

The councillor makes a reasonable case here in the general sense, but one or two examples of overegging the benefits, maybe. And a bit too much of the usual council comms blather, and maybe one of the main giveways in that regard is the use of that annoying word 'vibrant'

But since Sussex recently used the word, and the article is about one of his pet subjects, I'm sure he'll appreciate it all


Councillor calls for CCTV cameras in Colchester cabs to be made mandatory

https://www.essexlive.news/news/essex-n ... er-8961969

It is hoped that calling on the government to make having security cameras in taxis a legal requirement will improve the safety of passengers as well as drivers

An Essex councillor has called on central government to make having CCTV cameras in taxis a legal requirement, in the hope that the safety of both passengers and drivers will be improved. Councillor Dave Harris (Lab., Berechurch) put forward a motion to Colchester City Council on December 7 which seeks to lobby central government to make the installation of security cameras in hackney carriages and private hire vehicles mandatory. This follows a spate of incidents in the city during which taxi drivers have been physically and verbally assaulted, as well as carrying out trips which customers have not paid for.

Speaking to LDRS, Cllr Harris said that rather than being an infringement of either party's privacy, cameras which are fitted should allow for video or audio settings to be switched off should an individual request it or feel it is necessary. He said: "We (Colchester residents) have had people run away from taxis without paying, we've had racial as well as physical abuse of taxi drivers, drivers slapped; to be honest, it's not fair on the drivers who are being treated that way.

"I'm calling on the government to make fitting CCTV cameras in taxis mandatory," he said, but acknowledged that taxi cameras are rarely examined "unless there is an incident".

"At the end of the day, it's really to ensure that we (the council) are protecting the most vulnerable in society; taxi drivers across the country and in Colchester are doing a good job of running a business that benefits these people already, and we need to protect them as well."

Cllr Harris estimated that around 90 per cent of taxi drivers across Colchester have already installed CCTV cameras in their vehicles themselves in order to guarantee their safety, but that having this written into national legislation may help GDPR practices be correctly followed.

"Wherever a camera may be fitted, (one) will know to behave themself", he said.

In recent years, Colchester has seen a sharp increase in anti-social incidents which the council has attempted to curb through the creation of the Safer Colchester Partnership, as well as the implementation of Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs). In November 2021, a Colchester taxi driver named only as Nurul was beaten into a coma in Ipswich by then-19-year-old Jack Powell when the assailant had booked a ride following a night out. Nurul sustained serious head and facial injuries and remained in Addenbrooke Hospital for a month.

Presenting his motion to the council, Cllr Harris said: "We as a Council work hard on policies that ensure that both vehicles and drivers are licensed to trade, by stringent standards, influenced by national legislation.

"The taxi trade is well thought of as contributing to a vibrant city life, enabling us and those we love to travel to work, to leisure and to social events.

Cllr Harris estimated that around 90 per cent of taxi drivers across Colchester have already installed CCTV cameras in their vehicles themselves in order to guarantee their safety, but that having this written into national legislation may help GDPR practices be correctly followed.

"Wherever a camera may be fitted, (one) will know to behave themself", he said.

In recent years, Colchester has seen a sharp increase in anti-social incidents which the council has attempted to curb through the creation of the Safer Colchester Partnership, as well as the implementation of Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs). In November 2021, a Colchester taxi driver named only as Nurul was beaten into a coma in Ipswich by then-19-year-old Jack Powell when the assailant had booked a ride following a night out. Nurul sustained serious head and facial injuries and remained in Addenbrooke Hospital for a month.

Presenting his motion to the council, Cllr Harris said: "We as a Council work hard on policies that ensure that both vehicles and drivers are licensed to trade, by stringent standards, influenced by national legislation.

"The taxi trade is well thought of as contributing to a vibrant city life, enabling us and those we love to travel to work, to leisure and to social events.

"We have a duty to contribute positively to the safeguarding of both drivers and passengers, which includes taxi cameras being installed in licensed vehicles... the presence of notices within cabs saying that CCTV or a camera is fitted acts as a deterrent to poor behaviour and protects our drivers, but also provides vital evidence in situations where an incident has been reported, either to licensing officers or to (Essex Police), otherwise it is one person's word against another.

"What is missing is legislation mandating country-wide the use of cameras to protect drivers, so that there is no chicken run to other UK authorities (who may not have such exacting standards). We want to make sure the right legislation is born out of this so that we can protect the travelling public and our cab drivers."

Cllr Harris' motion was unanimously carried, meaning that a letter lobbying the relevant government department will be sent on behalf of the council in due course.

Well there's the first clanger - all the scrotes would have to do is ask for it to be switched off

And even if someone does have legitimate grounds for asking it to be switched off, if the driver doesn't think that's a good idea there's a potential kick off which could have been avoided.


Well it won't guarantee their safety, as is demonstrated by the many CCTV images distributed by police looking for suspects to in-car crimes. And that's just the tip of a very big iceberg


Ditto. In fact in extreme cases it may well cause conflict rather than deterring it...


At last...

They should never be examined unless there is an incident, other than via a yearly compliance check by an authorised installer.

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IDFIMH

Delighted to hear that, but surely a good start would be by making it mandatory locally.

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IDFIMH

"Chicken run to other UK authorities", eh? Interesting way to put it, and no great mystery which local authority he might be alluding to, presumably

Anyway, in view of more recent stuff he was maybe before his time with the call for UK-wide CCTV. But this is certainly going against the grain...

But this article arguably gets to the crux of the issue, which is maybe council-mandated and controlled CCTV as opposed to a voluntary system under the control of the driver. But, as per usual, it's a bit vague and round-the-houses in that regard.


Colchester committee to discuss 'mandatory CCTV' bid for taxis

https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/253 ... bid-taxis/

PLANS for CCTV to be installed in every taxi in Colchester could be scrapped after years of debate.

Calls had been made for changes to Colchester Council’s licensing policy to ensure every cab has cameras in a bid to protect customers and drivers alike.

Fears over breaching privacy laws have held proceedings up after the idea was first mooted in 2017 among the so-called rainbow coalition which led Colchester Council.

On Wednesday, the authority’s licensing committee will consider a report on the matter.

Licensing managers at Colchester Council are recommending it does not make it mandatory to fit cameras in every private car.

The report, written by Paul Donaghy, the council’s licensing, community safety, and safeguarding manager, said: “The reasons for this recommendation include the proportionality of intrusive surveillance of individuals when balanced against the low levels of reported crime in taxis, by or against taxi drivers.

“The requirement for Colchester Council to become the data controller if CCTV is mandated, as well as the financial burden and impact on staffing levels, which would need to increase.”

It also cites the “national problem of cross border licensing” as drivers who do not want mandated CCTV will “simply remove themselves” from the council’s jurisdiction and relicense their taxi elsewhere.

As an alternative to mandatory cameras, it is recommended in the report the council “should encourage owners, operators and drivers” to fit CCTV instead.

The report said: “We should provide guidance on correct usage of such systems as set by the Information Commissioner’s Office, encouraging those that choose to fit CCTV comply with the regulations.

"The matter could then be sent out for public consultation.”

It is claimed purchasing the initial bulk of CCTV cameras, which use a cloud-based storage system which is GDPR compliant, would cost the council £542,400.

There’s also an estimated “ongoing revenue pressure” of £48,000 per year due to “sim subscriptions, software portal access, support and consultancy, data management, and compliance.”

Bridget Everitt, general manager of Panther Cabs, said: “When myself and Christine the owner, started over 40 years ago, it was a lot of different.

“Unfortunately, it is not safe out there anymore, we had two drivers attacked in the last couple of months.

“As far as we are concerned, there should be CCTV in taxis, it protects the driver and the customer.

“Anything that happens in the vehicle can be looked at.

“We have quite a few drivers who already have cameras.

“We suggest our drivers have CCTV when they start here.

“The cost, they were talking about is really expensive cameras. You don’t really need as much as that, it’s just like having a dashcam in the car, it’s not expensive and the driver pays for it.

“It’s just a safety thing, you’ve got CCTV everywhere, that’s how the world has become.

“I don’t think the council will go forward with it; it will cost too much money.”

A Colchester taxi driver, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: "Well it’s like anything as a self-employed person you don’t want to be told you have to do anything you don’t want to especially if it’s no help to yourself and you’re the one paying for it.

"Fundamentally, I don’t see a reason why not to have CCTV.

"I’ve had it for over a decade I just think we should have access to it and be able to shut it off when we’re not working for our privacy.

"I also think we should at least have an insurance accepted quality system but no need to spend three or four times what their provider was going to supply and fit."

Quite an articulate comment, but gives the impression they spent more time writing this than actually reading the article

For a start, if drivers want to install cameras regarding runners etc, then what's to stop them?

And sounds like a trade insider on the one hand, but totally clueless about Wolverhampton on the other

perhaps he should team up with councillor Daisy

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Consultation launched on CCTV use in Colchester taxis

https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/254 ... ter-taxis/

THE future of CCTV in Colchester taxis is under review in a newly launched public consultation.

Colchester Council is reviewing its taxi licensing policy and seeking feedback from residents, drivers, and operators on the use of CCTV in Hackney Carriages and private hire vehicles.

Jocelyn Law, councillor responsible for for communities and public protection, said: "We’re committed to supporting the safety of both drivers and passengers.

"The licensing committee voted to encourage the voluntary installation of CCTV as a way we can help to strengthen that safety without creating unnecessary financial or administrative pressure for the trade or the council.

"The public consultation is an important part of shaping this approach, and we encourage anyone with an interest in this issue to take part and share their views."

The consultation follows a review by the council’s licensing committee.

While the council has decided not to make CCTV mandatory in taxis, it is encouraging voluntary installation, supported by clear guidance to ensure data protection compliance.

The guidance aims to balance public safety, privacy, and financial viability.

CCTV can help deter crime and support investigations, but the council notes the low number of reported incidents inside taxis.

If made mandatory, the council would become the legal data controller for all footage, bringing significant costs and regulatory responsibilities.

The current approach aligns with national guidance and is consistent with neighbouring authorities’ policies.

Feedback is welcome from all members of the community, particularly those who use or work in the taxi trade.

The public consultation is now live on the Colchester Council website and will close on November 6, 2025.