Well I'm not sure how it will stop verbal abuse,when you can't voice record? 400 quid someone's on a nice little earner, it should be free or a very small contribution, they should get some funding like a lot of other councils.

The drivers are having to pay £400 but surely this is an 'enforcement' issue and should be paid by the council as enforcement cannot be paid by the trade?

I can kind of understand where the chap is coming from re the 15 minutes period. For instance if you join the back of the rank and it is a slow day, you will turn your engine off. Your mate comes and sits in the cab and you are discussing your licensing officer, this could be being recorded and at some time viewed and listed to by the said licensing officer. Yes I know it is highly unlikely but it could happen.

A TAXI driver has claimed the council is 'breaching' the 'civil liberties' of cabbies across Warrington after ordering them to fit vehicles with CCTV.

Following consultation with drivers, the public and partner agencies the cameras are being installed to provide additional 'protection' to verbal abuse, assaults and malicious complaints.

The process started yesterday, Wednesday, but a Warrington taxi driver of around 15 years, who wishes to remain anonymous, believes the authority is going 'too far'.


He said: "Once the engines turn off the cameras will continue to run for 15 minutes but they said we can't view anything, only the council can see the footage, they are not allowing us to view it.

"If CCTV is filming then we have rights. I have no qualms about the CCTV while we are working.

"But if it is for safety reasons there is no reason why we can't turn it off once the engines are off – the 15 minutes after that are intrusive, that's why I believe it is a breach of our civil liberties."

Installation will cost around £400 per vehicle – but the council is confident it will help tackle crime and make the service safer for residents.

Peter Astley, assistant director for regulation and public protection, said: "The introduction of CCTV in licensed vehicles will help to make passengers feel safer and customers may wish to enquire about the availability of CCTV when making bookings.

"Experience in other areas has also shown drivers feel that CCTV helps to protect them from being subject to verbal abuse, malicious complaints, hate crimes or even serious assault.

"Taxis are licensed public transport so are not private vehicles even when they are being used while the driver is not working.

"All data is fully encrypted and is held securely by the system for a very limited period. It will only ever be accessed in the event of a serious incident."

Mr Astley also refuted suggestions the CCTV could be intrusive to those in the surrounding area after engines are switched off.


He added: "Although the camera remains on for 15 minutes after the engine switches off it is positioned to capture images inside the vehicle rather than outside."

Cameras will be installed when taxis have their six monthly or annual MOTs, alongside stickers alerting users of their presence.

The images captured will be protected using the encrypted software, which the council says will 'guard against any data loss or breaches'.

For further information about taxi licensing visit warrington.gov.uk

a Warrington taxi driver of around 15 years, who wishes to remain anonymous, believes the authority is going 'too far'.

Talking about the licensing officer is a day to day thing in the Taxi trade.

Does the council pay for taxi meters, and cabs?

£400 goes to £320 when tax is taken off?

Over three years £2 a week.

that is not what I asked? I wasnt questioning the cost I was questioning as to whether the council can force a driver to pay for what would be regarded as enforcement

that is not what I asked? I wasnt questioning the cost I was questioning as to whether the council can force a driver to pay for what would be regarded as enforcement