Taxi Driver Online

Hackney Carriage Drivers Association trials CCTV security in taxis

Taxi drivers in Watford are running a trial CCTV scheme in their cars in an attempt to make their jobs safer. The Hackney Carriage Drivers Association is working with a private company to install cameras in two of its cars as part of a six week trial.

Association chairman Shafiq Ahmed said: “The cameras will make it safer for the drivers and for the customers.” Mr Shafiq, who has worked as a taxi driver for 10 years, added: “Nobody should have to put up with any abuse or racial discrimination ever.”

The association had hoped that after the trial period the council would fund cameras to be installed in all of the 290 taxis. However the council have said they can’t pay for the cameras to be fitted as it is a private business.

Councillor Jan Brown, chair of licensing at Watford Borough Council said: "The council's role is to licence taxis and not to provide CCTV cameras within private businesses, in the same way that we don't pay for CCTV cameras within shops, offices or homes, for example. “The council continue to work to improve both drivers and the public’s safety through schemes like the taxi marshals, head cams, safe havens and ID checking."

The company working with the Hackney Carriage Drivers Association on this project, ACSS, have worked with other taxi associations on similar schemes including Hastings and Brighton and Hove. In Brighton and Hove, CCTV cameras are compulsory in all new licences issued.

However they receive no financial funding from the council so all cameras must be paid for by the taxi driver or operator. Adil Butt, who has had one of the trial cameras fitted in his car, fully understands the dangers of being a taxi driver.

Last year he was forced to take four months off work after being attacked by a customer, who also robbed him. He said: “I am more than happy to have one of the cameras in my car. “We are self-employed so if something happens to us and we have to take off we can’t support our families.”

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IDFIMH

Odd, buses are private businesses, but the council see them as a special case, surely Taxi's where drivers are more at risk than bus drivers are more of a special case?