Taxi Driver Online

York cabs to get video cameras


CCTV cameras are being rolled out in cabs across the city in a bid to cut crime and improve safety for both drivers and customers.

The initiative is being spearheaded by Mark Wilson, of Streamline Taxis, who is also the secretary of York Private Hire Association, and Larry Taylor, the co-owner of Six Five Nine.

Mr Wilson said that by Christmas, about 50 of the devices, which also record sound, will have been fitted to cabs and it was hoped that other drivers will then come forward to have them fitted once the benefits were seen.

Mr Taylor said there were various problems that drivers faced, particularly those who work on late night shifts.

He said: “One problem is the customers who don’t pay – what we call a runner.

“At the moment, there’s no way you can follow them. They vanish and they are gone.

“The next problem is violence – if a row ensues, perhaps over the fare, or if a driver reprimands a customer.”

Mr Taylor said once the CCTV cameras had been fitted, these issues should become rarer.

In addition, the CCTV would protect drivers from unfounded complaints but also ensure that customers felt secure.

But he said: “York is extremely well-behaved. I believe the level of discipline in York is very good indeed. Incidents are very, very rare, but when you do get them they are bad.

“It might only be once a year but that’s once too much.

The CCTV systems cost about £240 and drivers will be able to spread the cost over a number of months. All of the footage filmed will be encrypted so that none of the drivers or companies will be able to view or tamper with it.

Mr Taylor said the recording would only be made available to City of York Council and the police.

He said: “It’s an encoded chip and can only be opened by the authorities. No driver can open it so it cannot be interfered with. It means it’s able to stand up in court as uncontaminated evidence.”

He said a similar scheme in Newcastle had led to an 85 per cent drop in related crime.

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
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