East Reading Council CCTV for Taxis

East Reading Council requires all taxi drivers to install CCTV cameras in their vehicles by next April.

22:12 15 April 2019

Under new licensing rules, all private hire and hackney carriage drivers in East Reading must install CCTV cameras in their vehicles by April or risk losing their license. According to recent figures, around two-thirds of 328 licensed drivers in the county are already using CCTV and dashcam systems.

 

 

 

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 voluntarily fitted their taxis with CCTV and dashcam system said that the technology has helped deter violent incidents and reduce the number of incidents of non-payment of fares. There have also been instances where CCTV footage was used by police officers as evidence in investigations into cases of burglary, theft and assault. In addition, it has also been used to counter false allegations made by passengers against drivers.

 

 

 

Other policy changes agreed this week include the removal of requirements for drivers to complete a professional Btec qualification for the first 12 months after getting their license.