Taxi Driver Online

CCTV for taxis after attack rise
A Newport taxi firm is planning to install CCTV in its cars after an increase in attacks on its drivers.
Management of ABC Cabs in the city said the decision could cost the firm up to £7,500 but that it was needed to safeguard customers and drivers.

The firm claimed night drivers were facing more intimidation and threats from drunken passengers.

Recently, a driver was assaulted before he was robbed of his takings and had his car stolen by two passengers.

Manager Andrew Barley said: "In the last year I would say the amount of attempted attacks on our drivers has gone up 10-fold.


It is not just to protect the safety of our drivers but our passengers too
Andrew Barley, ABC Cabs
"It used to be once or twice a year but now it's about once or twice a month.

"So we are planning to make sure all of our cars have CCTV in them.

"It is not just to protect the safety of our drivers but our passengers too."

Mr Barley said the attacks on drivers usually happened at night.

"It's an ongoing problem in Newport and not only that but in certain parts we have kids throwing things at cars."

He said many of the drivers working for the firm welcomed plans to install cameras into their cars.

The firm said it was going to roll out the CCTV system over the next 12 months.

Gwent Police said it supported the idea and said it was visiting taxi firms to offer advice and guidance about reporting incidents.

A spokesman said the force acknowledged drivers "can feel vunerable".

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/w ... 173170.stm

Published: 2006/11/22 15:53:43 GMT

© BBC MMVI

10 out of 10 for that gent.

_________________
IDFIMH

I've had CCTV in my car for a few years now and have to admit that you come to rely on it a bit; you know like ring back etc.

BUT - on the driver safety issue I think that for male drivers picking up lone female pax CCTV is a MUST - she can say what she likes and your the one thats suspended and living in a grey cloud for ages after she admits nothing happened! As a female driver I can see this situation more than most guys and while everyone harps on about female drivers needing protection I believe that its you guys that need protection from false accusations more than we girlies need it for safety! Tango, 13, 99 and everyone appears - who is going to protect the guy that dropped a girl home, went about his business and went home to his wife only to have Plod on his doorstep accusing him of who knows what and because he's a HE then its his fault!

(see I do have a heart - and respect goes both ways!)

We had a driver who went through that, he was hung drawn and quatered by the Council and the police, in the end the woman who made the accusations was found out by the drivers barrister that she'd made the exact same complaint 7 times before and nothing came from any of them.