Talk of Compulsory CCTV for Swindon Cabs

Under proposals, all new taxis in Swindon will have CCTV installed from April 2023.

14:34 27 June 2022

Starting April 2023, the installation of CCTV in all new taxis will become mandatory in Swindon. Older taxis, on the other hand, will be required to install CCTVs when their license is up for renewal. 

 

Proposals to install CCTV in taxis have received a significant level of support both from the council and in the Adver. A report to the committee sets out for what sort of incidents it might be possible to use CCTV footage. These include road collisions involving a private hire or hackney carriage vehicle either to assist in the investigation or in making an insurance claim and possible criminal behavior by a passenger or driver/operator. 

 

The installation of CCTV cameras in taxis was first proposed in 2019. However, it was mooted by the council's licensing department over the cost. 

 

At the time, Andy Lucas of the Swindon Drivers' Association said: “We are concerned about the cost. Across the fleet of taxis in Swindon, it wouldn’t be short of £1m. We are also concerned about whether this could jeopardise the contracts we have with other local authorities to transport vulnerable passengers.”

 

The licensing department’s position is: "The installation of CCTV in licensed vehicles in not a new initiative, and nor is it now uncommon. Some councils have found it to be a deterrent to would-be troublemakers and a source of evidence in cases of disputes between drivers and passengers."