Nothing new here, but must we go through this same rigmarole for all 300+ UK councils?
It should either be compulsory nationally, or it shouldn't.
Taxi drivers could have to pay £1,000 for CCTV to be installed in their cabshttps://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news ... 00-6357481The council is running a four week public consultationPeople are invited to share their thoughts on whether CCTV in taxi and private hire vehicles in Boston borough should be voluntary or mandatory.
The Department for Transport’s view is that cameras can provide additional deterrence, and assist investigations into incidents.
Boston Borough Council stresses that there is "no current evidence of a prevalence of crimes being committed within taxis and private hire vehicles licensed with this authority".
And the council adds that a "high standard and robust" CCTV system could cost between £500 and £1,000 per vehicle, something which one taxi driver described as "another burden".
A four-week consultation runs from December 15 to January 12 and asks whether the council should move away from the current voluntary system and instead consider requiring all operators to install CCTV.
Councillor Paul Skinner, leader of the council and portfolio holder for licensing, said: " Safety within the borough is a main priority for the council and due to the numerous taxi and private hire vehicles operating in Boston it is important that everyone feels safe when using them.
"CCTV can be a tool to help reduce crime and increase the safety of passengers and their drivers.
"We would urge that residents partake in the survey to have their say.”
Image: Lincolshire LiveNick Hall, 40, who runs Nick's Taxis and operates three cars in the borough, said that while firms are committed to helping keep everyone safe, the type of CCTV the council is consulting on would be yet another cost for hard-pressed businesses if it became mandatory.
He said: "I already have dashcam in all three of my vehicles. It protects us and our passengers.
"It films inside, outside and to the rear and it costs less than £100, but the system they are looking at is £500 to £1,000.
"I don't know how many drivers could afford that, that's another £500 to £1000 for each car.
"I've had cameras in my cars for the past five years because we work Friday and Saturday nights and sometimes we get people who are not very nice or who have had too much to drink. We also do school runs.
"I'm a member of the taxi association and we are not saying 'no' to CCTV, but the system the council wants costs a crazy amount of money.
"Unless they will pay us the cost, it will be another burden on taxi operators."
Mum Seana Kerslake, 32, of Saundergate Lane, Wyberton, near Boston, said she believes CCTV should be compulsory in taxis.
She said: "I use taxis now and again when I've been on a night out.
"I think CCTV should be compulsory. It would make me feel more comfortable.
"It would be far safer for drivers and passengers."
The consultation comes in response to the DfT's Statutory Taxi & Private Hire Vehicle Licensing Standards, published in July.
The DfT states: "All licensing authorities should consult to identify if there are local circumstances which indicate that the installation of CCTV in vehicles would have either a positive or an adverse net effect on the safety of taxi and private hire vehicle users, including children or vulnerable adults, and taking into account potential privacy issues."
Image: Lincolshire Live
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