Taxi Driver Online

Cabbies pilot CCTV cameras



SEVERAL taxis in Tewkesbury have been fitted with spy cameras to prevent violent attacks.

The owners of 1st Choice Private Hire have paid hundreds of pounds to install the high-tech cameras in their taxis.

It is the first taxi company in Tewkesbury Borough to install the new technology to help protect drivers and passengers.

Stuart Stephens, who runs his Mitton-based business with wife Clare, said he was introducing the surveillance system in response to 'horror stories'.

He gained approval for his pioneering project from the borough council's licensing officer but must comply with strict legislation to operate it.

Stuart, 35, said he had installed two cameras in each of his three taxis, at a total cost of about £750.

The cameras, which are about the size of a cigarette packet, record onto a memory card and have infra-red night vision.

He said: "There's always the risk of violence towards drivers and there's been lots of horror stories.

"If someone starts mouthing off at you have that fear of it going further.

"Luckily, it's never happened to me. But my worst experience was when I was carrying six people and a woman, who was 'pickled' said she was going to batter me because I wouldn't turn the music up.

"We always get some dodgy passengers and I'd rather prevent something before it happens. I hope this will act as a deterrent.

"The system also captures those people who book a taxi and decide to do a runner without paying when they reach their destination as well as any other mischief makers.

"And it protects passengers. Someone may be harassed or attacked in the back of your cab."

Mr Stephens, 35, who also employs three other drivers, said no one had objected to the 'Big Brother' implication of being filmed.

"I expected people to say 'I'm not getting in here if you're filming us'," he said. "But the majority haven't minded and said it's a fantastic idea."

Tewkesbury Borough Council's lead member for community development Sue Hillier-Richardson said: "Given the safety benefits, we were happy to approve the installation of CCTV in these licensed vehicles.

"It's encouraging to see one of our licensed private hire operators taking such a proactive approach to improving safety for both their drivers and the general public who use the vehicles."

http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/ ... story.html

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