Taxi Driver Online

Usual kind of CCTV vibe thing here - you'd be forgiven for thinking from the headline that as the rules stand drivers can't install their own CCTV.

But, of course, as is often the case with such pieces elsewhere, it's all about getting the taxpayer to pay for it all

Usual boilerplate response from the council though, and as usual a hint of gaslighting about it all


Call for CCTV in Dundee taxis amid safety fears after driver ‘attacked and robbed’

https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/53 ... ety-fears/

The city's taxi trade has been left shaken after allegations two men attacked a female driver on Tuesday.

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Taxi chiefs are calling for help to roll out CCTV to every cab in Dundee after a driver was allegedly attacked and robbed.

The city’s taxi trade has been left shaken after allegations two men attacked a female driver on Tuesday.

Two 19-year-olds have since been charged over the incident.

Chris Elder, who represents taxi drivers through Unite the Union, says there are increasing concerns about driver safety due to a reported rise in alleged physical and verbal abuse.

He says he wants to see help given to drivers to enable CCTV to be installed in every vehicle.

Concerns over taxi driver safety

He told The Courier: “This is a dangerous job.

“The vast majority of passengers are fine, but the lack of respect these days is unbelievable.

“We’ve been beating the drum for years regarding physical and verbal abuse.

“Our bus and train drivers have faced the same thing.

“CCTV should be in every taxi and private hire vehicle – not just to protect drivers, but passengers too.

“However, operators need funding to make that happen.

“Our members are being left traumatised by incidents, and some may never return to work.”

Mr Elder has previously helped launch the No Excuse for Abuse campaign, backed by Police Scotland and Dundee City Council, calling for an end to violence towards taxi drivers.

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He also wants to see the law around attacks on transport workers strengthened to provide tougher punishments.

Earlier this year, a group of Dundee taxi drivers met to discuss concerns about rising abuse and called for workers to be given self-defence lessons.

Dundee City Council ‘supports and encourages CCTV in taxis’

A spokesman for Dundee City Council, which oversees the licensing of taxi drivers, said: “We support and encourage CCTV installation in taxis.

“The council backs the No Excuse for Abuse campaign, which aims to protect city taxi and private hire drivers.

“Drivers should not be subject to any form of abuse, and warnings are given to passengers that any incidents will be reported to police.

“Stickers are placed in taxis to reinforce this message.

“The council will continue to engage with the taxi trade and Police Scotland about any concerns going forward.”

Mr Elder seems to be the Courier's go-to rep for taxi stuff, but I always wonder how many drivers he actually represents.

And have noticed this slightly odd phrase in the photo caption, which the Courier has used once or twice previously - the word 'some' seems to be implying that he doesn't represent too many drivers