Taxi Driver Online

Wealden Council opens consultation over CCTV in taxis

Wealden District Council has started a public consultation on whether installing CCTV in Hackney carriages and private hire vehicles would have a positive or adverse effect on the safety of passengers.

Councillor Pam Doodes, portfolio holder for public health, said: “There is an important discussion to be had here over CCTV being mandatory in taxis and private hire vehicles within Wealden and we need to know what the trade feels and indeed those who use licensed vehicles within the community.

The council said it needs to consider the safety of those who use taxis but also take into account the effect on their privacy, especially children and vulnerable adults.

It is believed that CCTV can provide a safer environment by deterring and preventing crime. It can also reduce the fear of crime, assist the police during investigations and insurance companies investigating accidents.

Cllr Doodes said: "I would urge everyone to have their say during this period of consultation so the council can make an informed decision.”

The consultation will run for six weeks until January 20 for the public to give their views and the council is also talking to drivers, vehicle proprietors and operators.

For further information and to take part visit https://www.wealden.gov.uk/consultation ... t-council/

_________________
IDFIMH

'Dropped' or simply delayed?

What's going to be a whole lot different in a year or so?


Idea of mandatory CCTV for taxis in Wealden is dropped

https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/po ... ed-4010908

Wealden District Council will not pursue plans to make CCTV mandatory for taxis for the time being.

On Monday (January 30), Wealden District Council’s licensing committee decided not to move ahead with plans to make CCTV cameras a mandatory requirement for taxi drivers at the current time, but to revisit the question next year.

The proposal followed on from changes in national guidelines intended to improve protections for vulnerable passengers, particularly children.

However, committee members had reservations about the need and desire for such a measure in Wealden.

Councillors also had concerns about the impact of such a change on the council’s resources. This was because the council, if it were to make CCTV a mandatory requirement for taxi drivers, would have to become a data controller for the footage. This would have legal and IT implications, officers said.

The council had also consulted on the plans last year. While a relatively small sample, it found 48 per cent of those surveyed (including both residents and taxi drivers) did not support making cameras compulsory. A smaller proportion (44 per cent) supported the move while seven per cent were undecided.

In light of their concerns, councillors were minded to hold off on introducing such a requirement until further investigation could take place.

As part of this, officers were asked to liaise with neighbouring councils in Eastbourne and Lewes, which are due to introduce mandatory CCTV for their taxi drivers next October, in order to seek more information about the changes.

In the meantime, taxis in Wealden are still able to opt-in to fitting CCTV cameras when wanted.

The council is already a data controller.

They already have an IT department.

They already have a legal department.

_________________
IDFIMH