North Somerset Council Taxis to Decide CCTV

North Somerset Council encourages taxi drivers to install CCTV cameras in their vehicles.

13:59 03 June 2018

North Somerset Council is letting taxi drivers decide for themselves if they want to install CCTV cameras in their vehicle. The move comes after the council had faced backlash over privacy concern when it previously made the installation of CCTV in taxis compulsory.

 

In the draft policy document, the council said that the installation of CCTV cameras may help improve driver and passenger safety.

 

The policy reads: “Lone female passengers can be vulnerable especially late at night and female drivers may be more likely to seek employment with proprietors who have CCTV installed in their vehicles.

 

“Installation of CCTV cameras may have a positive impact on reducing crime and anti-social behaviour.

 

“It provides an additional tool for the identification of persons travelling in a private hire or Hackney Carriage vehicle. This would be beneficial to passengers, drivers and the police.”

 

Drivers or operators who elect to use CCTV cameras in their vehicles will be responsible for handling the data they have gathered. They must also use a signage to let their passengers know that they are being filmed or recorded.