Taxi operator in CCTV call to aid safetyFriday, May 25, 2012Passengers and taxi drivers alike are being endangered by a lack of CCTV, according to one cabbie.
But Wealden District Council has no plans to follow the lead set by nearby authority Brighton and Hove, where security cameras are now mandatory.
Rod Tomlinson, 51, of Aspect Taxis – based in Burwash Road, Heathfield – accepts his sideline business in radio communications would benefit from a red-tape ruling, but was adamant his idea was not motivated by money.
The father of two warned: "Most people are nice, but there are some nasty people out there. You've only to Google 'taxi attack' to see what goes on.
"But if your daughter is getting into a car with cameras you've got peace of mind.
"Of course, there's money to be made, but this is about safety."
Critical of what he viewed as complacency from the district council, he added: "It's like Wealden is waiting for something to happen and to follow what everyone is doing and then jump on the bandwagon but prevention is better than cure.
"Everywhere you go you have cameras at you – on the bus, on the train, on the Underground – so why not in taxis too?"
Cameras cost around £300 each, Mr Tomlinson said, with his firm already installing many in cabs operating in Brighton and Eastbourne. His own four vehicles are also equipped with CCTV, which is still voluntary here.
He said: "We want Wealden to come in line with everyone else and stop sitting on the fence."
Shane Corby, who runs a taxi business in Crowborough, was unconvinced.
He said: "Of course there's a risk of trouble in any place where you're picking up drunk people. But this would be an unnecessary expense. It would be a pain if they said you had to have CCTV.
"It would just ne more regulation at a tough time when our customers don't have money to spend."
Cathy Beaumont, head of the council's public health and community services department, said: "Wealden District Council does not require Hackney carriage or private hire vehicles to be fitted with CCTV recording equipment and has not received any requests to make such measures compulsory. We are happy for individual drivers to fit compliant CCTV recording equipment in their vehicles if they have concerns about the safety of their passengers or their own safety."
Source; http://www.thisissussex.co.uk/Taxi-oper ... story.html
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