| In response to a series of assaults on drivers and pressure from the Dundee Taxi Association, the city council’s licensing committee today gave the go-ahead for a six-month trial.
Half a dozen taxis of different types will be fitted with cameras and the video footage will be monitored by the local authority or the police.
The decision follows a meeting of the Taxi Liaison Group, at which the trade pressed for some form of camera monitoring to counter attacks on drivers.
Recent assaults have seen a taxi driver robbed at knifepoint in Strathmartine Road and an assault on a cabbie in Dykehead Place.
The trade is concerned that many such incidents end up as the taxi driver’s word against that of the assailant.
The view is that CCTV would at least provide a strong deterrent effect.
Stuart Galloway, principal general services officer with the city council’s support services department, said there had been on-going discussions between the trade and the council since last summer over the issue of CCTV.
The intention now is for the council to use £2500 from its anti-social behaviour fund, together with matched funding from the trade, for the pilot scheme.
Mr Galloway said, “Drivers would have no access to the images to get around data protection issues.
“Taxi operators would keep notes of any complaints or reactions to the cameras.”
Mr Galloway said the system proposed by the trade is known as Verifeye.
Tayside Police have been consulted and are supportive of the initiative subject to clarification about its control and the costs involved.
The passenger feedback would be considered alongside a comparison between incidents in taxis with CCTV installed and those without.
A working group will now determine the best way of progressing the scheme.
The Dundee Taxi Association has identified five of their members who have agreed to participate in the CCTV scheme.
Chairman Graeme Stephen said the majority of drivers were comfortable with the idea of being monitored throughout their shift, as there were considerable benefits for them.
“This system would be 100% admissible in court,” he said.
“Every single frame taken is encrypted with the date, time and registration of the vehicle.
“It uses a very wide angle lens that sees the whole of the taxi and records sound as well.
“We’re hoping it will reduce attacks. It’s done so in many other places where it’s been introduced.
“Places down south have seen crimes against taxi drivers fall by up to 85%.” |
