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All taxis should have CCTV - Abergavenny cab firm
A TAXI driver is backing a rape victim’s call to have CCTV cameras fitted in all cabs after a driver attacked her. Asif Iqbal, 42, of Alice Street, Newport, was handed a 12-year prison sentence earlier this month for attacking two women he picked up while working as a taxi driver in Newport.
After the court case, one of his victims told the Argus attacks like hers could be prevented if all taxis were fitted with cameras. Abergavenny taxi driver Nigel Webb agrees.
He voluntarily fitted a camera in the Hackney Carriage he and his wife Lynn drive for their firm Nigel’s Taxis, after he was the victim of several incidents of verbal and physical abuse over his 30- year career.
Mr Webb believes they are the only firm in Monmouthshire to have a camera fitted and is urging others to join him He said: “The abuse we used to get was unbelievable, but now people know there is a camera there is none.” “A lot of people say taxis should have one and as far as I’m concerned, it protects the passenger and the driver as well. It is the best £500 I’ve ever spent.”
The Llanfoist couple fitted the camera a year ago, after getting written permission from Monmouthshire council. It cost £500 and is concealed within the car, providing footage of the back seats, as well as the front driver and passenger seats.
It has night vision, can take stills and starts up with the car’s ignition and continues filming 15 minutes after the engine is turned off. Passengers are advised they are being filmed via a sign inside the taxi, in compliance with the law.
Under the Data Protection Act, Mr Webb is not allowed to show the footage to others, except police with a warrant.
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