Taxi Driver Online

Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner calls for CCTV in taxis

Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones has called for all licensing authorities across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to make CCTV mandatory in Hackney carriages and taxis.

The commissioner submitted a deputation to be heard at the Gosport Regulatory Board meeting where proposed amendments to taxi licensing requirements were discussed.

The deputation comes following the conviction of a taxi driver in Southampton in May who was convicted of sexually assaulting a woman in his cab.

The police discovered footage on the mandatory CCTV camera installed in the car, which showed footage of the serious sexual assault leading to the conviction of the driver. The camera evidence resulted in a guilty plea preventing the victim from the added ordeal of a trial.

At the beginning of June, Ms Jones wrote to the Secretary of State for Transport, Mark Harper MP, to ask him to review the statutory licensing guidance for local authorities, and to consider mandating CCTV in taxis and private hire vehicles nationally.

Ms Jones said: “Both of the cities in Hampshire already require CCTV cameras in taxis. Portsmouth and Southampton licensing conditions require CCTV to be fitted before a taxi licence is issued. Today I am calling for all councils in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to follow suit with Gosport being the first to consider this issue.

“The victim in the Southampton case could not recall the attack, but thanks to the camera installed inside the cab, a dangerous sexual predator has been removed from our communities.

“I strongly believe there are lessons to be learnt from horrific local incidents like this, just as much as the high-profile cases we have witnessed over the last two years.

“Cllr Lesley Meenaghan contacted me to ask about other areas and enquire about what more could be done to keep women safe.

“It’s clear where cameras are mandatory they are making people safer, and they are providing the police the evidence they need to convict those who are a danger on our streets. There is also the protection that cameras provide to drivers who on occasion are victims of crime too.

“Whilst there are legitimate concerns about surveillance and data protection, I believe the safety of women outweigh risks to privacy, which is why I am asking for all local authorities to enforce these measures.”

source: https://www.andoveradvertiser.co.uk/new ... ctv-taxis/

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

Yes the real reason councils and police like CCTV cameras . To catch drivers up to no good but as documented a few times on here when it's the driver whose the victim they sometimes opt to NOT review the footage.

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

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

To a degree yes.

But I know a number of drivers who are still driving today due to CCTV evidence that has cleared them following nasty and false accusations.

_________________
IDFIMH

Well that was quick

Wonder how some councils can decide such things in a matter of weeks, but in others the whole decision-making process is dragged out over several years?

To be fair, if this happened in our area I wouldn't be too happy - smacks of councillors in panic mode and not wanting to disagree with the police commissioner, rather than a considered decision-making process.

So looks like they're jumping the gun a bit, while other councils seem more adept at kicking things into the long grass for years and years...


Gosport taxis to get CCTV after Southampton taxi driver jailed

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/237142 ... er-jailed/

CCTV is set to be introduced in all taxis within a Hampshire borough after a driver was convicted of sexually assault a passenger in Southampton.

Gosport Borough Council has pledged to make CCTV in taxis and private hire vehicles mandatory in the wake of Hardeep Landa's imprisonment.

The Southampton cab driver, 30, was jailed for six years and eight months in May after sexually assaulting a 21-year-old passenger in his car at St Mary's Road car park.

Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) later wrote a letter to the secretary of state for transport to change national licensing guidance.

Gosport council's Regulartory Board agreed the new CCTV rules for all new taxis in the borough and is due to be implmented by April 1, 2025.

Deputy Leader, Cllr Robert Hylands, said: "I'm very proud that Gosport is leading the way among smaller councils in the county to help make taxis safer."

The PCC added: “This move makes Gosport the first borough council in the county to show its commitment to keeping its residents safe.

“The introduction of regular background criminal checks and drug testing for new applicants and randomly for licensed drivers is also welcome.

“My ambition as Commissioner is to encourage all councils follow suit. At a national level, I will continue to lobby the government to make sure passengers and drivers alike are afforded the maximum protection."

The council also agreed to introduce six-monthly DBS checks for drivers, and to start drug testing for new applicants and random drug testing for licensed drivers.

Southampton City Councils licensing requirements for Hackneys and private hire already require CCTV to be fitted.

Speaking after Landa's sentencing, Phil Bates, Licensing Manager at Southampton City Council, said: “The council undertake robust checks on all drivers licensed by them, including an enhanced police check every six months.

“This case highlights the excellent working relationship between the police and council officers by facilitating the immediate revocation of the licence and the sharing of evidence, it also appears to be a prime example of the benefits of mandating the fitting of permanently recording taxi cameras."

Aye, whatever...

No doubt in other areas the police and council officers go out of their way to ignore each other

I suspect the policy was in the process of being implemented well before the Police Commissioner got involved.

Policies such as CCTV cannot be introduced overnight, it would take months and months of consultations.

_________________
IDFIMH