Taxi Driver Online

Blackburn with Darwen: CCTV in cabs plan considered by council

A COUNCIL is to look at requiring the installation of CCTV cameras in its licensed taxis and private hire vehicles.

It is also examining whether to introduce basic English proficiency tests for drivers.

The proposals have been welcomed by a cabbies boss.

Blackburn with Darwen Council's Licensing Committee on Tuesday will debate new government guidance on 'Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards' issued in July aimed at increasing protection for children and vulnerable adults.

The borough needs to update its policies in the light of the document.

A report by Donna Riding, the council's principal licensing officer, says: "Government has acknowledged the potential risk to public safety when passengers travel in taxis and private hire vehicles.

"Its view is that CCTV can provide additional deterrence to prevent this and investigative value when it does.

"The use of CCTV can provide a safer environment for the benefit of taxi/private hire vehicle passengers and drivers by deterring and preventing the occurrence of crime; reducing the fear of crime; and assisting the police in investigating incidents of crime.

"All licensing authorities should consult to identify if there are local circumstances which indicate that the installation of CCTV in vehicles would have either a positive or an adverse net effect on the safety of taxi and private hire vehicle users, including children or vulnerable adults, and taking into account potential privacy issues.

"Since April 1 2019 51 complaints have been received about the conduct of licensed drivers. If CCTV had been installed in the vehicles, officers and members would have been assisted in determining any enforcement action.

"Additionally with CCTV installed the amount of complaints would fall. It would also protect drivers from incidents where passengers don’t pay for their fare or abuse drivers."

The government document states that drivers 'need to be proficient in English as a lack of language proficiency could affect a driver’s ability to understand written documents relating to the protection of children and vulnerable adults.

Ms Riding's report says: "Oral proficiency will be of relevance in the identification of potential exploitation through communicating with passengers and their interaction with others.

"A licensing authority’s test of a driver’s proficiency should cover both oral and written English language skills.

"Officers will need to explore this to achieve compliance with the standards."

Ashraf Mangera, chairman of the Blackburn with Darwen Taxi Association said: "These are good ideas.

"CCTV cameras would give drivers added protection from abuse, violence and threats.

"Basic English proficiency is a requirement of a driver's job."

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IDFIMH

If this CCTV argument on mandatory fitting to all licensed vehicles carries any weight in making it safer for a passenger to use a vehicle.
All Councils are not fulfilling their obligations regarding granting of licence to those who are fit and proper and are openly admitting they are failing to do so.

The essential point missing from this article is that the proposal is about *compulsory* CCTV.

This piece makes it sound like CCTV hasn't been allowed in the past, but I doubt that's the case.

So maybe it's one of those where ops don't want to make CCTV compulsory because it scares off drivers, but are quite happy for councils to do the necessary, and maybe even hopes the council will foot the bill. But, as the piece makes clear, this council at least won't be footing the bill. Anyway...


Blackburn taxi driver held at gunpoint finally sees action after 10 years

https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire- ... t-19695352

Matrix Private Hire taxi firm has been calling for surveillance in its cabs for a decade after one of its drivers was the victim of a terrifying ordeal

Blackburn taxis could finally be fitted with CCTV, 10 years after a driver was held at knife and gunpoint.

Matrix Private Hire taxi firm has been calling for CCTV inside its cabs for more than a decade after the terrifying incidents but has been unsuccessful up to this point.

However there is fresh hope for the company as the issue is set to be discussed at Blackburn with Darwen Council's licensing committee tomorrow (January 26).

Matrix Private Hire owner Qasim Khan said to LancsLive: “Historically, we have been trying for a long time.

"We have always wanted cameras in operation because over ten years ago, we had somebody pull a gun out on a driver. A knife was then put to the same driver within the same month. We obviously wanted the CCTV at the time for the safety of our drivers."

But the firm acknowledges its implementation might not be completely straightforward as drivers might object to having such surveillance in their car.

“We know some drivers will not want to be recorded when they are not on a job," added Mr Khan. "They wouldn't want it to be recording when they are not working and are spending time with their family. Privacy laws are quite serious at the moment, especially with the ever-changing laws around them."

Blackburn and Darwen Council confirmed to LancsLive that it would, ultimately, be the taxis firms footing the bill, but how the cost is implemented - whether its paid as part of the license fee or not - would be decided after a forthcoming consultation.

Councillor Parwaiz Akhtar, Licensing Committee Chair, said: “These are statutory Government guidelines and are based around public safety.

"CCTV can provide extra safety measures and reassurance for people travelling in private hire vehicles, especially children or vulnerable people, as well as the drivers. It can also assist the police with any investigations and the Council with any enforcement action.

"Additionally, with CCTV installed the number of complaints would likely fall. It would also protect drivers from incidents where passengers don’t pay for their fare or abuse drivers.

“Proficiency in English is also included in the guidelines and this will help with better communication with passengers. The guidelines state that a licensing authority’s test of a driver’s proficiency should cover both oral and written English language skills and we will need to look into this.

“These Government guidelines will be presented at the Licensing Committee and will then go out to consultation following the meeting."

I suspect the firms are worried they will foot the bill should that demand CCTV in cars in their fleet.

Whereas the bill will be met by the drivers should the council mandate CCTV.

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IDFIMH