Taxi Driver Online

Crime drop in Essex taxi guard scheme

Security guards will continue to give a "reassuring presence" at taxi ranks in an Essex town following a drop in crime during a pilot, a council has said.

The scheme began in Chelmsford six months ago and since then public order offences have reduced in the area, the borough council said.

Marshals will be at Baddow Road taxi rank on Friday and Saturday nights for a further three months.

The new taxi rank at the town's bus station will also get security staff.

Two Security Industry Authority (SIA) registered door staff will work at each site to ensure that people get into taxis safely, prevent queue jumping and stop people taking food and drink into taxis, the council said.

Ian Grundy, cabinet member for safer communities, said: "The feedback from taxi drivers and revellers was very positive, with both groups saying they would like the scheme to continue.

"Recent crime figures have also shown that there has been a real reduction in public order offences in the area."

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