Could see there being a rash of articles about CCTV over then next few months
Taxis in Bury St Edmunds, Haverhill and Newmarket to have CCTV installed in new West Suffolk Council trial after Casey report
https://www.suffolknews.co.uk/bury-st-e ... i-9425419/
A council will trial having CCTV in taxis in the wake of a national report on child grooming.
West Suffolk Council has secured funding for a voluntary pilot scheme which will be used in 30 cabs – 10 in Bury St Edmunds, 10 in Haverhill and 10 in Newmarket.
The progamme comes after the Casey report on the child grooming scandal and the allegation taxi or private hire drivers were involved.
The scheme will last six months and cost around £18,000.
It is voluntary – drivers will put themselves forward to have CCTV installed in their vehicles at no cost to themselves or operators.
Gerald Kelly, cabinet member for governance, regulatory and environment, at West Suffolk Council, said: “We are hoping that drivers and operators will see the advantages of having CCTV in their vehicles.
“It offers protection and reassurance to their customers at a time when passenger safety has been flagged through the Casey report.”
Cllr Kelly added it also protects drivers as evidence which can be used for both prosecutions and defence against accusations.
After the trial the council will evaluate it and, if deemed a success, will discuss options to take it forward with drivers.
The scheme has been secured with funding from Suffolk Community Foundation through the Serious Violence Duty Grantmaking Programme.