Taxi Driver Online

Derby taxi CCTV system plan considered by council

The possible mandatory fitting of CCTV cameras in taxis in Derby is meeting resistance from drivers themselves.

Derby City Council is to discuss a report and proposed public consultation on the idea at a meeting later.

The report said cameras would improve driver and passenger safety but would cost about £500.

But driver Maddy Ahmed said while he backed the idea in principle, the price tag meant it should be left to individual choice.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said the report highlighted CCTV in taxis can provide a safer environment for drivers and passengers by deterring and preventing the occurrence of crime, reducing the fear of crime, assisting the police in investigating incidents of crime and assisting insurance companies in investigating motor vehicle accidents.

It also stated: "Any CCTV system would be required to be of a high specification so that images were clear enough for use in any litigious (legal or court) purpose.

"There is an approximate cost to vehicles owners of approximately £500."

The report adds some councils in the UK have a "mandatory condition" for the fitting of the cameras - meaning drivers in Derby would have to pay the fee.

But Mr Ahmed, from local firm PJ Cars, said: "I think it is a brilliant idea for the driver's safety and the passengers' safety. I think it should go ahead.

"There's so many situations where this problem with the customer and the driver and it goes further with the police. CCTV can save one another - you can see whose fault it is, it's all there.

"The cost is concerning, and drivers are struggling with the fuel crisis at the moment. This on top would be a bit of a burden but I think it should be a choice for the driver."

Members of the city council's licensing committee will discuss the subject at the meeting where it is expected they will approve a 12-week public consultation.

The authority said there was a total of 985 taxis, including almost 200 Hackney carriages, in the city which but could not give a figure on how many already had CCTV.

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IDFIMH

Thought this looked quite juicy from the headline, but it's very much storm in a teacup territory.

And, I mean, can understand the councillor's frustration at how slowly the wheels of bureaucracy turn, but think he's overdoing things, particularly in view of the pandemic, and I doubt another couple of months delay is of any great significance in the grand scheme


Councillors clash in fiery exchange over taxi CCTV plan

https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/d ... er-6167220

A public consultation is set to be launched on the proposal


Image: Derby Telegraph

Two councillors were involved in a fiery exchange when discussing plans to have CCTV cameras in Derby taxis.

A public consultation is set to be launched on the proposal, which is aimed at reducing crime in Derby and protecting both drivers and passengers.

Derby City Council says a 12-week consultation will start in the near future.

But a suggested start date has not yet been announced, which concerned Conservative councillor Rob Cooper.

The Chaddesden councillor told a licensing committee meeting that he felt “slow progress” was being made on a “very important matter” as recommendations to councils were made in 2020 and a consultation should start as soon as possible.

He called on the licensing committee to “expedite” the consultation process so progress could be made.

Councillor Cooper said: “I would like to make a recommendation to committee that this is an expedited consultation and relevant resources are put in to make sure this is done as soon as possible to try and get some progress going on this matter.”

But Liberal Democrat councillor and chair of the Licensing committee Ajit Atwal strongly opposed Mr Cooper’s proposed recommendation and said he was satisfied with the pace the council officers were dealing with the issue.

Councillor Atwal said: “I don’t think there is any need for the recommendation and the officers have made it quite clear that it is going to go out to consultation. They are looking into it, everything is in working order – so no there’s no need for this recommendation.”

Councillor Cooper then tried to come back with a point.

But Councillor Atwal responded: “Don’t butt in, let me finish. I’m the Chair. It is as it is, the officers will deal with it and once they have dealt with it, it will go out to consultation.”

Councillor Cooper then said: “So just to be clear Chair, you don’t want to expedite this to make some progress on this matter. We don’t have a date."

Mr Atwal, who represents the Abbey ward, then said: “For the second time can you stop butting in? I’m trying to control a meeting here. I’m not going to take another question off you. It’s in the hands of the officers and the officers will deal with it.”

City officer Mike Kay said the coronavirus pandemic had delayed the consultation process and due to a limited staffing resources in the licensing team, time was spent on bigger priorities relating to taxi issues.