Taxi Driver Online

Committee rules CCTV in Adur taxis is not compulsory


An Adur taxi driver has praised the council’s ‘common sense approach’ for advising that CCTV in taxis should be discretionary, not compulsory.

The issue was considered by Adur District Council’s Licensing committee on Monday, June 19.

We thank the committee for taking a common sense approach and considering representations from the trade

Sean Ridley, an Adur hackney carriage proprietor of 39 years and Unite the Union representative for the area, said the decision was appropriate for Adur – ‘a low crime area’ with an ‘absence of incidences’ to justify the mandatory use of CCTV.

While CCTV can record evidence of incidents and deter crime, there are risks of intrusion into privacy, the council’s Privacy Impact Assessment found.

Mr Ridley said after the meeting: “We applaud the decision.

“We thank the committee for taking a common sense approach and considering representations from the trade.”

He said the council had noted guidance from the Department of Transport, which states that ‘unduly stringent’ licensing requirements tend to restrict the supply of taxis, which can ‘work against the public interest’ and have ‘safety implications’.

He said he did not believe many private hire or hackney carriage vehicles in Adur would decide to install CCTV, which costs around £474.

Councillor James Butcher, licensing committee chairman, said: “Taxis are an integral part of the district’s night-time economy.

“As the licensing authority, we have a duty to do what we can to improve public safety.

“But we also know that some drivers have concerns over data protection and the cost of installing these cameras.

“After listening to operators across the district, the committee decided to give drivers the option of installing CCTV cameras.

“The committee will also work with drivers and those that use taxis to regularly review the issue.”

source: http://www.shorehamherald.co.uk/news/co ... -1-8033145

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

Until they get attacked and the scum get away with it, or some pi**ed up scum make false accusations and you lose your license?

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IDFIMH

bet they have training there though

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

He said he did not believe many private hire or hackney carriage vehicles in Adur would decide to install CCTV, which costs around £474.

expensive !!!!! round here 50 percent or more of drivers would NOT be able to Afford that

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Strange thing to say when half the Adur fleet spend all their time in Brighton and Hove.

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IDFIMH

"The Scum"??? If that's the way that you refer to your customers then I'm probably not surprised you get attacked and require CCTV!!! Here in Adur (and I'm an Adur Hackney Carriage), things are are done a little differently. We respect our punters and they respect us (mostly, although there are exceptions punter-wise - only luckily not violent ones, but then again we don't refer to them as scum). You tend to get what you give sometimes in this life, although it's different in Seaside resorts and Cities (Worthing & Brighton) - and that's the point! I know Sean and his heart is in the right place. He's one of the longest standing Adur drivers and therefore knows the trade, probably better than you matey and arguably a lot better than the licensing officers that do not and have never driven a Taxi. The majority of the trade and I mean the majority, about 99% are with him and we are happy that he represents us. all he did was give the trade's opinion and view point to the Committee. I'm sorry that this doesn't correspond with other areas - but we're NOT other areas, we're ADUR and licensing needs to be based on our area and NOT others! Sorry mate, I think you're a knob, given your comments on a subject in Adur that you do not understand. Clearly not an Adur driver.If you have compulsory CCTv then I'm sorry, but at least Sean stood up for the trade and got the comittee to see sense. Be careful you might pick up some scum tonight! I'm also probably not surprised you're worried about getting attacked.

our Sussex has a big thing about CCTV that's his usual response he thinks that all drivers need it to protect themselves his comments are probably not aimed purely at shoreham drivers

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

I agree, but it should be the drivers decision as he or she is best placed to assess the risk(s) to him or her based on experience of the local area of operation and associated factors. If "Sussex" wants CCTV then fine, go out and get it fitted but don't start carping at other areas who are clearly capable of properly managing risk! I've found that if you treat people with respect (and not label them scum) then they're fairly unlikely to attack you. Just my experience based on my social skills. Perhaps Sussex should look for a course on dealing with the general public.

In your haste you didn't read what Sussex actually wrote.

Until they get attacked and the scum get away with it, or some pi**ed up scum make false accusations and you lose your license?

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

You are being very generous Captain by calling it 'haste'.

I much prefer 'utter f***ing stupity'.

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IDFIMH

Yeah but in my own haste I suggested Adur had driver training - they don't appear to have much by way of standards at all.

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

Ignoring all the above, and not mentioning the 'scum' word ( ), a good example came in today that confirms my view on CCTV, compared to the view taken by Adur.

The police sent out an email request for assistance, asking for help in respect of a serious sexual crime. The email said the alleged victim thought she got into a taxi with the number of the firm that has a mixed fleet of Adur, and Brighton and Hove licensed vehicles.

The police were asking for a) the driver's details, and b) if the vehicle had any CCTV to help them in their investigations.

Now the police, and those of us who keep to the right side of the law, would be hoping that the car involved was a Brighton and Hove licensed vehicle, as they all have CCTV. The alleged sexual scumbag ( ) will be desperately hoping it was an Adur licensed vehicle.

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IDFIMH

Was the incident in Adur? Is there evidence that the attacker purposely booked an Adur vehicle then??? If so, the company will have booking records. What about the other places he/she went that day pubs.clubs.shops, should they all be made to have and pay for CCTV as well in order to punish the many for the ills of the few. Also, they should have been picked up on public CCTV cameras and that's the point here, if Cab drivers are to do the police's job then the cameras should be at PUBLIC expense and not financed by the driver or owner. Also, where's the evidence that the incidence of CCTV cameras in Brighton Cabs has led to an overall drop in offences in the City across the board? Stick to sorting out your own rules and leave Adur to us and our Licensing Committee as in the absence of incidents we're clearly doing quite a good job!

Adur is not Brighton or Worthing and should not be subject to their regulations, that's why we work in Adur! In terms of training we undergo the same training as Brighton drivers.

What on earth has the above got to do with anything?

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IDFIMH

The police are asking for CCTV evidence from the taxi that picked up the alleged victim and attacker.

If they got picked up by a B&H vehicle there will be CCTV that could help convict the alleged attacker.

If they got picked up by an Adur vehicle it is highly unlikely there will be CCTV evidence that could convict the alleged attacker.

You might think saving a few quid by not having CCTV is a good thing, I think you are wrong.

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IDFIMH