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Arson-victim cabbie welcomes CCTV
By Ben Payne
Comment | Read Comments (4)
BLAZE: CCTV of the taxi set on fire at the Shell Oil Station on Malpas Road
A FORMER taxi driver whose vehicle was torched on a petrol station forecort welcomed news that cabbies could be urged to install CCTV cameras.
CCTV cameras could be installed in taxi cabs in Newport to protect drivers.
Newport council's licensing committee held talks with a camera firm on Tuesday in a bid to beef up security in city cabs.
It was agreed that the company could approach local firms and ask them whether they wanted them fitted.
Taxi companies would have to foot the bill for cameras which are believed to cost more than £500 each.
The news comes after a catalogue of anti-social behaviour incidents on drivers including assaults, stone-throwing and fare dodging.
The local authority hopes drivers will agree to fit cameras in their cabs ahead of the Ryder Cup when 200,000 golf fans are expected to visit the city.
Asim Mushtaq's taxi was engulfed in flames after Oliver Evans, 26, picked up a nearby pump and poured petrol on it before lighting it.
The attack was caught on the petrol station CCTV - something which helped catch the arsonist.
Cardiff Crown Court heard Evans, who was sentenced to an indeterminate prison sentence in April, could have done it as a prank.
The driver, Mr Mushtaq, 27, of Newport, and passenger Sian Bingham, escaped before he pushed the taxi on to the road.
Seconds later, staff at the Shell station in Malpas Road put out the flames in September last year.
"I think CCTV cameras are a good idea because after something happens often there isn't any proof that it did," said Mr Mushtaq who gave up driving shortly after the incident and is now unemployed."
"Cameras would ensure there was proof. They would also help protect drivers who can sometimes be at risk.
"I'm OK now but I wouldn't want it to happen to anyone else."
Taxi firms, who have suffered a barrage of attacks, welcomed proposals.
And superintendent Julian Knight, of Gwent Police, said the cameras would be a good idea if they operated overtly.
2:08pm Friday 6th July 2007
Another classic from Newport Gwent Council, covering their backs with spin for when something goes really horribly wrong. A driver could have died and all they do is offer advice, unlike other Councils who offer to subsidize the drivers.
As ever the drivers have got to foot the bill, and with one of the lowest tariffs in the U.K the drivers cannot afford to do it.
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if you cannot be yourself, then who can you be.
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