Taxi Driver Online

Split opinion over proposals to introduce taxi marshals

TAXI drivers in Falmouth are not convinced the introduction of marshals on the rank late at night will resolve problems encountered by the police.

Sergeant Gary Watts is consulting on the idea of introducing taxi marshals on The Moor and has more than £9,000 pledged from the pubs, clubs, restaurants and takeaways, police force, Councillor Grenville Chappel, plus a "substantial undisclosed" amount from the university.

He aims to start a three-month trial on April 6 with Security Industry Authority (SIA) registered staff monitoring the rank and dealing with antisocial behaviour.

But the Falmouth Taxi Association has raised some concerns and felt they should be referred to as "town marshals".

Drivers claimed there was rarely disorder at the rank with the fights that do break out taking place on the piazza.

They also asked: "Are the marshals going to aggravate passengers by questioning them on their ability to pay the taxi fare and judge their level of inebriation?"

They also suggested the money would be better spent on improving the CCTV system and a temporary night rank could be created outside Club International to save people having to walk to The Moor.

Falmouth councillors agreed this was a good idea and will suggest it to the police.

At their meeting on Monday night, councillors shied away from making any financial contribution to the marshals, but have agreed to administer the scheme for a three to six-month trial, providing there is no risk to the council.

"These security guards cannot cover for the police," said Councillor David Sterratt.

"I do not like the thought of security guards doing police work."

But Councillor Allyson Biggins said: "I fully support the police in this town. They are a very thin body of people trying to cover a wide area and they need every help and support they can get.

"Whatever suggestion they make to alleviate the problems in this town, I would fully support."

Sergeant Watts believed the marshals would offer a valuable service as the police are no longer able to provide officers to monitor The Moor.

Since the closure of Remedies nightclub, the officers on duty have been policing the area around the pubs and club in Church Street.

Source: This Is Cornwall

Falmouth taxi marshalls plan goes live this weekend



MARSHALLS will be patrolling Falmouth’s main taxi rank for the first time this weekend to try and bring an end to the late-night violence that has plagued The Moor in recent months.

The scheme will see security guards wearing hi-visibility vests stationed at the rank between 11.30pm and 3.30am on both Friday and Saturday nights.

Their role will be to monitor behaviour in the area, chat with people waiting for taxis, address any unwanted behaviour and report more serious matters directly to the police through the town radio system.

The service has been introduced after an increase in incidents of violent anti-social behaviour in the area.

Inspector Mark Richards of Falmouth police said: “Most people recognise that Falmouth is busier now much later into the night than it used to be.

“Sometimes those out visiting the town put themselves in a position where they can become victims through the amount of alcohol they have consumed.

“This service isn’t a knee jerk reaction to an increase in incidents but a measured response to a change in behaviour nationally.

“It is one of the many ways we can work as a community to keep Falmouth a top destination for an evening or night out.

“Almost all of the pubs, clubs and restaurants in the town have recognised this and have put up money to ensure their customers stay safe using the area around the taxi rank and The Moor.”

John Richards, managing director of Infinitus Security, who will be providing the guards, added: “I have personally selected the trained staff to take on this unique role.

“I have made it clear to my team that this is a customer service role, there to improve the feel of a night out in town.

“We do not have the powers of the police and will only ever intervene to protect a person or property from serious harm.

“We hope to provide a welcome focal point for people as they wend their way safely home.”

The scheme will run continuously throughout the year with a review at 3 months by the partnership to ensure that its objectives are being met and to tailor the service if needed.

The scheme has been backed by taxi drivers, University College Falmouth and the University of Exeter, local pubs, clubs and businesses and Falmouth Town Council.

Tom Arrington, chair of the Falmouth Taxi Association added, “Support from local businesses has been outstanding and highlights the common aim to continue to make Falmouth a good night out for a huge diversity of people.

“The scheme has been put in place to actively encourage people to use the taxi rank, and the Moor area, and to feel safe while doing so."

source: http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/fp ... s_weekend/

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

You have to wonder what these drivers are going to moan about next.

Maybe the Law Commission.

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IDFIMH

We have Marshalls now in Maidstone and its the best thing thats happened for us. We love em !!

I think most right minded drivers can only praise marshalls, the problem is that no-one really wants to pay for them long term.

Maybe future law changes might mean the pubs/clubs that cause all the problems at ranks, pay to sort them out.

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IDFIMH

we pay £20 per cab per year for them. Police and council etc pays the rest. Well worth it.

There must be all of 40 of them, Falmouth is a tiny place, one suspects they are thinking they may get the bill passed onto them and thats why they don't want it, or maybe Falmouth doesn't have the English Hooly Plague and they think by having the marshalls it will put the locals backs up and they will then become troublesome, who knows.

First night success for Falmouth taxi marshall scheme



THE FIRST weekend of Falmouth’s new taxi marshal scheme has been hailed as a success by organisers.

Security guards wearing hi-visibility jackets patrolled the rank at The Moor on Friday and Saturday night as part of new measures to crack down on anti-social behaviour in the area.

The scheme was introduced in response to a growing number of incidents in anti-social behaviour in the area of The Moor since the closure of Remedies late last year.

The loss of the nightclub saw the number of police patrols in the area drop during the evening.

John Richards, managing director of Infinitus Security, is providing the marshals to patrol the area.

He said: “It went very well for the first weekend. There were no real problems of note, just one or two incidents that my staff dealt with and called in the police to sort it out.

“People were generally pleased to see the staff there, of course you get the odd person being abusive and drunk, but in the main I think people were happy to see us in place.

“The general feeling seemed to be that people were pleased to have someone there to keep the peace.

“We want to become a point of contact, that if you head to The Moor, you know there will be someone there to help you if you need it.”

The scheme is being funded by local pubs, clubs and businesses, taxi drivers, University College Falmouth and the University of Exeter and Falmouth Town Council.

Speaking at the launch, Jilly Easterby, Public Engagement Manager at the Combined Universities, said: “University College Falmouth and the University of Exeter are pleased to contribute to the funding of this scheme as it will help our staff, students, friends, family members, neighbours and visitors to leave the town centre safely after an evening out.

“We have a duty of care to our students but we also want to ensure that Falmouth remains an attractive night time destination for everyone in our community, so we hope our contribution will make a positive difference.”

source: http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/

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

Having taxi marshalls is a no brainer, and anyone opposing them is as daft as a brush.

Good news is that an act going through parliament will ensure that taxi marshalls are funded by the licensed premisses who are basically the reasons behind them being needed.

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IDFIMH