Taxi Driver Online

Drivers say CCTV in East Riding taxis is cutting violence and fare dodging

https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hu ... ng-2717800

All licensed vehicles in the East Riding could have CCTV within a year after pilot scheme

CCTV and dashcams in taxis are helping to cut violence and fare dodging, say East Riding cabbies.

A voluntary scheme in the East Riding has seen 199 of the 328 licensed vehicles kitted out with CCTV and dash cam systems.

East Riding Council is now hoping to have all licensed vehicles equipped with CCTV within a year.

The voluntary CCTV scheme has been well received by drivers and passengers, the council's cabinet will be told on Tuesday.

Paul Bellotti, director of communities and environment, says in a report: “Since the systems were implemented, feedback from drivers has indicated that they feel there has been a reduction in violent incidents and non-payment of fares.


Image: Hull Daily Mail

“Some anecdotal feedback from passengers confirmed that they felt safer when there was a camera installed.

“In addition, footage has been used by the police and licensing authority in investigations which have led to actions against individuals for assault of drivers/passengers, theft, burglary and footage has played a key role in determining no fault in taxi driver accidents as well as rebutting false allegations made by passengers against drivers.”

Mr Bellotti says the presence of CCTV is a deterrent to criminal or other unacceptable behaviour and also provides vital evidence in situations where an incident has been reported, which might otherwise have been one person's word against another.

The council decided in 2016 to introduce a pilot CCTV scheme.

He says: "This followed a small number of reports of assaults on taxi drivers, false allegations made by passengers and concerns around the transportation of vulnerable adults and children on passenger service runs."

Councillors will be told consultation will be required about making CCTV a mandatory requirement in all licensed vehicles but it is hoped to have all fitted by April 2020 at the latest.

In Beverley, hackney carriage driver Neil Broadley plans to have CCTV fitted into his car, after having it in his previous vehicle.


Image: Trudi Davidson/Hull Daily Mail

Mr Broadley says: “I think it’s a good idea for drivers’ protection.

“CCTV is a good thing if an incident happens, or if there’s an accusation made against a driver or against a customer.

“It gives you that bit of reassurance, it protects everyone.”

Another licensed driver, Paul Kettlewell, says CCTV is “another eye” on what is happening.

He says: “Generally speaking people are alright, they just want a lift. But in this day and age, when things happen it’s another eye.

“If there is an accident or anything like that in front of you it shows who is to blame.”

Can't really add much to those comments.

Sounds just like me 8 years ago.

_________________
IDFIMH

Let's hope you weren't *dressed* like the guy in the photograph eight years ago though

Anyway, not much to see here other than that CCTV will now be compulsory, but interesting little nuggets about the BTEC course and vehicle colour codes near the end of the article.


Taxi drivers must all have CCTV or lose their licences under new licensing rules

https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hu ... se-2739191

Move should be welcomed by drivers and passengers

All taxi drivers in the East Riding will be required to have CCTV operating in their cabs by next April under new licensing rules.

Around two-thirds of the 328 licensed drivers in the county already have CCTV and dashcam systems fitted as part of a voluntary scheme operated by East Riding Council over the past three years.

But from next year the remainder will have to install similar systems in their vehicles or face having their licences revoked.

The move was approved by the council's cabinet this week. The new rule will apply to both private hire and hackney carriage drivers.

Councillor Shaun Horton, portfolio holder with responsibility for licensing, said: "The reaction to the voluntary scheme has been extremely positive.

"It has been welcomed by the industry and passengers alike and I am sure this new policy will also be a success."

Drivers who have taken part in the voluntary scheme say they believe the presence of CCTV has coincided with a reduction in violent incidents and non-payment of fares.

In addition, film footage has been used by the police and council licensing officers as evidence in investigations into cases of assault, theft and burglary.

It has also been used to counter false allegations made by passengers against drivers.

Other policy changes agreed this week include removing the requirement for drivers to complete a professional Btec qualification during the first 12 months of being licensed.

The qualification included a so-called knowledge test as well as training on safeguarding issues.

However, councillors heard the removal of government funding had led to a reduction in the number of independent training providers while the quality of some training had been found to be "questionable" in some cases.

A requirement for drivers to complete a NVQ course delivered in-house by the council remains part of the authority's licensing policy.

The council also plans to continue rolling out its programme of encouraging hackney carriage operators to use the authority's distinctive green and white livery on their vehicles.

So far, just under half of the East Riding's hackney cabs are painted green and white.

Well that's interesting, because you'd think a colour code like this would be compulsory rather than something simply to be 'encouraged'.

I mean who would do this to a car unless they absolutely had to?


Image: Hull Daily Mail

Think I'd just about rather have Guildford's teal blue to be honest, although given the choice I'd choose neither. This one looks like Brighton and Hove but with an additional stripe under the window line

Feel that there's something missing from what's said in the article - maybe the code is compulsory for replacement vehicles (or plates), but not for existing ones?