No development two years after CCTV taxi petition

David Winder started a petition asking the Council to ensure that CCTV is fitted to all taxis

Two years after David Winder started a petition asking the Council to ensure that CCTV is fitted to all taxis, there has not been any further development.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/97418/petition-started-to-get-cctv-installed-in-taxis

Whilst councils like Rossendale and Rotherham have implemented CCTV since then, Rochdale has not.

Rossendale implemented the requirement for CCTV in taxis on 15 May 2017 - all new vehicle licences granted from 15 May will be required to have CCTV whereas existing licensed vehicles will be required from renewal.

Rotherham Council implemented CCTV in their taxis after more than 50 Rotherham taxi drivers were stripped of their licences under regulations introduced after the town’s sex grooming scandal.

To rebuild trust in the taxi industry, Rotherham drivers are also required to activate an audio recording device when they transport an unaccompanied child or vulnerable adult.

Mr Winder said: “I received a letter from the Council basically saying they had already had discussions twice with the drivers, who rejected it, and that the Council were now going to wait to see what Rotherham did.

“Rotherham forced their drivers to install it, yet Rochdale haven’t followed it up.

“This isn’t good enough. This simple measure will provide safety and reassurance to both driver and passenger. Buses and black cabs are fitted with CCTV, there is no reason why it shouldn’t be fitted to private hire taxis too.

“Why is something so simple, cheap and obvious not being implemented?”

Mr Winder’s petition would require all taxis working in Rochdale, even under other local authorities, to install CCTV.

Beverley Wilkinson, service manager at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “In 2015 we revised our policy, enabling private hire and hackney carriage providers to install CCTV as long as it meets the council’s criteria.

“We regularly review our position, but there is currently no mandatory requirement to install CCTV in taxis.”

The petition can be found at:

https://www.change.org/p/rochdale-council-i-want-the-council-to-make-a-bylaw-which-would-make-it-illegal-for-a-taxi-to-operate-within-the-borough-without-cctv-installed