[url]https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/plans-cctv-taxis-tackle-grooming-14415783]and one for Sussex
[/url]Birmingham City Council has secretly axed plans to install CCTV into every taxi and cab - despite evidence it would help prevent child sexual exploitation.
The authority’s licencing committee unveiled the camera proposals last April following a review into the Rotherham grooming gang scandal.
Yet the proposals have now been quietly scrapped after opposition from operators, with the council claiming the £500 per vehicle cost could see drivers applying for licences at neighbouring councils - where no such policy exists.
The u-turn has seen child sexual exploitation campaigner Ed Ruane, who has responsibility for children’s services at Coventry City Council, calling on West Midlands Mayor Andy Street to step in.
Cllr Ruane said: "Local authorities have their hands tied. No one wants to see black cab drivers or others leave the industry or area because of increased costs.
"We need to see proper regulation so that all drivers, whether private hire, black cab or Uber, are regulated and treated the same."