Taxi Driver Online

My local council allows cctv in cabs/privatehire but insist that we can only use the Verifye's system so that only them and the police can download the images because of the data protection issues,

Yet a friend of mine telephoned the home office today and was told as long as the proper signage was displayed this is not the case, infact he was encouraged to go ahead with a much cheaper system.

Does anyone know were we stand on this

If your council are saying you must use only one system, then they are in breach of EU law.

What they should do is lay down a minimum set of standards and requirements, and if a system meets those standards and requirements, then they should get passed.

_________________
IDFIMH

I agree with Sussex and I am a firm believer in driver choice. Sussex is right when he states a council should only be allowed to suggest the terms of operation and not a specific make.

Applying vehicle conditions comes under 1976 act and no matter what those conditions might be they have to be reasonable.

The Data protection agency told me some time ago that as far as the law is concerned any taxi driver can install cctv equipment as long as it doesn't breach the data protection act.

The problem everyone has is that regardless of what the DPC might say the council have the ultimate say in what can and cannot be added or removed from a Taxi and Private hire vehicle. What a council cannot do is stipulate a certain type of manufactured model over another model that serves the same purpose.

Get one of your drivers to apply to use another make with the same controlled facilities and when he is refused, appeal to the magistrates court. Thats the cheapest option.

Regards

JD

_________________
Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

There are other companies on the market place that can also provide the local authority and the police the relevant software/equipment to download images off of camera systems. So the councils idea is flawed right away. All the software can be loaded onto the same computer.

Which council is it?

Write to the licensing officer asking them their reasons why they only allow one particular make of CCTV system to be used? Ask them if they believe such a condition is both legal and reasonable and under which section of which act is the condition being implemented?

We already know the answers but you need them in black and white if you wish to take this any further.

Regards

JD

_________________
Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

I think the clue is in Mr G5 CAB's location.

_________________
IDFIMH

lol very observant. Thank you.

Regards

JD

_________________
Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

Providing you display the correct signage and providing you don't use or publish the images taken then you can fit CCTV to protect yourself or anything you own.

Councils who suggest they have any control over this are wrong, and a very brief letter to the councils solicitor or legal department should convince them that we have the right to protect ourselves and our property without having to go to court to get it.

B. Lucky

_________________
"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

Sounds about right to me.

_________________

http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

Just to add to this post....

The camera I use at the moment...Works with 7.5v hidden adaptor.
http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?Mod ... 2&doy=23m9

Recording Device
Ebay Recording Device

Power adaptor to reduce to 7.5v if needed for the camera
Ebay Adapter

There is other cameras...they all work
Ebay Camera

Note the Ebay links will eventually not work.
But a simple search for mini CCTV will help you.

I have CCTV installed in my taxi and have for a long time.
The fact about CCTV is that you will have evidence in the event you are attacked or assaulted.
It does not stop the actual event happening.
I do agree that it is a great idea to have a system installed and it is very cheap.

I wire all cameras by 12v or reduced 12v to 5v , 7.5v, or 9v with a simple adaptor concealed behind the dash.

There is loads of types and price ranges.
The above is only examples.
My system recorded by a 7.5v IR night camera reduced from 12v with adaptor.
All hidden behind dash casings.
records to a BIG SD card and read on my home PC or TV .
My camera http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?Mod ... 2&doy=23m9
cost was £24.99
DVR Recorder I used is no longer in Maplins stock but they are getting new more advanced DVR recorders in soon that record direct to there own HDD for approx £50 to £60 per unit. ( Not in stock yet )
Power converters are needed if the voltage is LOWER that 12v so for about £6 -£10 on Ebay you will acquire these no probs.

I have a in-line switch near knee above throttle pedal so I can turn recorder on / off when I choose.

EASY AS THAT

All access points of the vehicle MUST be noticed / marked to the effect ( In car CCTV )...this is law.

As you can see Ebay is a good place to get cheap equipment for this job.
I am trying to strike a deal with a company as we speak for the some Hard drive recorders that store from 2gig to 180gig
Why pay more ?

Regards Steve

_________________
The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.

Like Mick said.
The footage can not be published / edited or made available for public viewing.
It can only be used / viewed by a third party in the event it is required for evidence by the police.


I personally keep the footage on SD cards for a 3 month period and then all captions are deleted.

I have seen loads of different types of the "so called pro approved type" and believe me they do not do a better job in any way what so ever.
All they do is relieve you of a huge amount of money.

Fit your own ....it takes 30-50 mins to install and you should get all the equipment for under £100...Depending on the size of the SD card you can pay £10 to £80 for these.

I will however keep you lads and lasses informed if the HDD small DVR recorders come along at the right price.

Regards Steve

_________________
The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.

I know this exceeds my "normal spending limits".
But take a look at this
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?Tab ... 4&doy=9m10
Can take up to 250GB hard disk drive, Power supply: DC 12 V .
Motion trigger recording, You can also connect more than 1 camera to this.
Meaning you can have Full rear seat view and also another camera recording the passenger seat.
You will notice it is on special offer......was priced at £299.99 its now down to 159.99 * Not bad for what you get *
And as we all know a decent size hard drive is very cheap to buy ( PS: maybe not from Maplins ).
I know it sounds a bit pricey but this is a decent bit of kit that could be installed and hidden easily in the vehicle and it works on a power supply of 12 V DC.
I will buy one and tell you how it preformes.....Multi camera. Huge storage capability..I like it !

Maplin Electronics offers a 14 day money back policy..Please read the terms on the site regarding the return policy ( Its not shocking honest )

Steve

_________________
The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.

What about this one?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?Tab ... &criteria=

Have you come across any cameras around 3cm max rather than the one you have? And have you attached your camera with the cradle or did you take the cradle off and place the camera in the bulkhead?

Regards

JD

_________________
Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

Hi JD bud..
The DVR recorder your link goes to is more for Home / Office use.
You must think "Small and discreet"..I know you could fit the one you linked to under a seat but then again its all up to the individual and where they want to fit it in the vehicle...
There is a multitude of cameras available..I have tried and tested a good few believe me.. But The one I use now preforms day and night with crystal clear footage and most of all its cheap ( I know I am a tight twait ).
I have just took a pic of the camera.... here is where I mount it.
Just above the rear view mirror !

You could mount a camera in the bulkhead BUT sometimes your passenger is "terribly drunk" and lies down on the rear seat so if you position the camera in a high position and it covers on a wide angle the target never goes out of view of the recording device.

Also you get the frequent question asked "where is that recording ?"...
As we all know you can feel the atmosphere of the person who you are dealing with and the possible way your passengers are going to react once in your vehicle.
So if you consider your passenger asking the question is asking it because he / she is likely to create a problem and try and find the recorder to hide all evidence you can always say...
"Well mate I have no control over it....it works like a navigation unit, by satellite and relays footage back to a central computer where not even me as a driver has access to it, the footage is deleted automatically after 6 months and they can only view it in the event it is needed for evidence."
They normally say nothing and by the time they have thought, you are at there drop off point and they have not even realised you have just spouted a big load of chit.....hehehehe
( Mixed in with other conversation it normally scrambles there drunken heads and makes them think to much to do anything out of order )
It is up to the individual how he / she installs a system but I have nothing at all on show apart from the camera you see in the pic.


Yes JD mate ! you can get Mini concealed cameras the size you say but there is two ways to look at this. If you want to have a unseen camera, is it doing its job correct ? If the "Irate"passenger can not see the hidden camera he is far more likely to do something silly....but if it is on show ( And I believe it should be ) he is more likely to be cautious and have the element of doubt as he will not know how the capture device works and also WHO is viewing the footage.
Regards Steve



The above is copyright to Taxis and can only be said if you are shi*ing your pants with a nutter in the car ..

_________________
The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.

Could you wire it so it uses the pressure switches that are fitted to cars to put the interior lighting on,??? they are normally on the side of the door pillars, so every time the door opens it records who gets in or out.