Norwich City Council Proposes CCTV in Taxis for Passenger Safety

Norwich City Council is considering a new regulation that would require taxi drivers to install CCTV cameras in their vehicles to enhance safety. This proposal is part of an effort to update local transportation safety laws.

Proposed Changes to Taxi Regulations

The consultation explores making CCTV cameras mandatory in all taxis, including hackney carriages and private hire vehicles. It also asks whether drivers should undergo more frequent criminal record checks and safeguarding training.

Support from Taxi Drivers

Craig Dimbleby, chairman of the Norwich Black Cabs Association, welcomed the proposal, highlighting the industry's long-standing demand for improved safety measures. He pointed to a recent case where a private hire driver was convicted of sexually assaulting women in the city.

Craig Dimbleby stated:

"We've been fighting for this for over a year now."

Kierran Greaves, another Norwich taxi driver, supported the idea of CCTV cameras, citing personal experiences where having video evidence could prevent disputes, such as customers refusing to pay.

Kierran Greaves remarked:

"When it's on camera, there's no disputing the evidence because it's all there to be seen by the police."

Advocacy Organization's View

Fflur Jones from the Suzy Lamplugh Trust expressed strong support for mandatory CCTV, saying it would help ensure better safety for both passengers and drivers. She emphasized the role of cameras in providing critical evidence for legal cases.

Fflur Jones explained:

"It will help if there is evidence of poor behaviour when it comes to reviewing licences and also for victims if they are looking to bring a case to the police."

Council's Next Steps

The consultation is open until 16th March, with no final decisions made yet.

Matthew Packer, the council's cabinet member for regulatory services, noted:

"The consultation aims to bring existing regulations up to date with the latest guidance from the Department for Transport."