Taxi Driver Online

Row over CCTV in Sheffield taxis


Taxi drivers in Sheffield will use government guidelines in their fight against compulsory CCTV cameras in cabs.

A Home Office document will be used to throw weight behind opposition to Sheffield Council’s controversial decision to introduce a mandatory requirement for cameras.

The licencing committee voted in favour in February, saying it would help to reduce abuse and violent attacks.

But Sheffield Taxi Trade Association says central government stipulates CCTV should only be attached to the conditions of a licence where there is cause for concern.

Drivers are preparing to present the document to the council ahead of a review into the decision next month.

Hafeas Rehman, chairman of Sheffield Taxi Trade Association, said: “This shows what the Government are thinking – that unless there is real evidence to support the need then it should not be enforced.

“Cameras cost up to £1,500 and, of course, money is an issue but it is secondary.

“We have done a lot of work with organisations to make better drivers and better citizens.”

Last year, the council refused or revoked licences of 23 hackney carriage drivers. Of those, 19 appealed at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court and 17 won their case.

Mr Rehman said: “The council are very cautious but they are right to be.

“We are saying that if we meet their strict criteria then the council should trust us. It damages public trust in the taxi business too.”

A Home Office spokesman said ‘a blanket requirement’ for cameras ‘ must be kept under regular review’.

He added: “Use of a surveillance camera system must always be for a specified purpose which is in pursuit of a legitimate aim and necessary to meet an identified pressing need.”

source: http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/local/row ... -1-6168475

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

Idiots.

I agree and despair

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

They'll be the first ones to moan when they get rolled or assaulted.

So CCTV won't prevent you from getting attacked or rolled then? Like hi-vis makes road workers bounce of lorries that pass too close?

It acts as a massive deterrent and a fantastic evidence provider.

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IDFIMH

I wonder if this is the same Sheffield that produced these stats during a pilot in 2006.

The pilot was run in December 2006, which included the Christmas period. Data collected showed that fitting a camera led to a massive reduction in incidents of abuse etc. towards taxi drivers; from a problem with 1 in 7 fares on average, to a problem with less than 1 in 100 fares – the most significant fall being in connection with incidents involving violence and threats. These results were subjected to statistical testing and found to be ‘significant’.

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IDFIMH

I have CCTV and it works.