Colchester cab companies respond to calls for mandatory cameras

Labour councillor Dave Harris put forward a motion calling for central government to both fund and legislate mandatory cameras in Hackney carriages and private hire vehicles.

Mr Harris revealed that in September one taxi driver had been “slapped around the face” by a customer.

Mr Harris said the issue had “gotten worse over the last few years” and that this measure would also protect the “travelling public”.

National - Councillor Dave Harris said that mandatory cameras must be enforced across the country to ensure any new system works (Image: Newsquest)

Peyman Oyarhossein, from the Hackney Association Taxis Colchester, said that he has asked the council “for ages” for there to be more marshalls in the town’s taxi ranks.

Marshalls - Peyman Oyarhossein said that more Taxi Marshalls are needed to protect cabbies (Image: Submitted)

Taxi marshalls are trained individuals who control taxi queues, aid passengers, and help vulnerable people.

“We need at least three people or maybe two, to be able to move passengers forward," he said.

“I see that every week, people are arguing with each other, getting into fights, saying ‘you’re queue-jumping'.”

“When Halloween was on, there were three marshalls, and it was all fine actually.”

In response to Mr Harris’ new plans for central government to fund new cameras, Peyman said: “Ninty per cent of taxis already have cameras in the car."

He explained that in his experience, the issue of people not paying in taxis did not lead to arrests.

Bridget Everitt, from Panther Cabs, agreed with Mr Harris that cameras should be mandatory “for the safety of the drivers and the customers”.

She said: “There are always two sides to every story.

“But if they’ve got CCTV – which they all should have anyway – then it can be looked at, only with incidents.”

According to Ms Everitt, the only reason the council didn't move ahead with plans for cameras previously was because it was looking at gear that was too expensive.

Ms Everitt added that the council was previously talking about cameras costing over £400, which is why “drivers were not happy about buying it”.

Bridget and said the last she heard, the council “was trying to find a provider” to find cameras at a reasonable price before this “latest” development.

Mr Harris said “he was not precious about audio” but was open to it being included in the mandatory recording that must have “visual evidence” to meet a “minimum requirement.

Regarding the further debate on whether there should be audio as well video, Bridget said: “My opinion is that you should have both, as it should only be used if needed.

“It’s like how we record all our phone calls, in case there’s an incident – and we can report it to the police if necessary.”

Richard Ford, owner of Aadvark Travels, said: “If set up correctly, I have not got a problem with it. It’s just how the council enforces it."

Mr Ford said most of the drivers he knows have some form of CCTV, but that police have previously told him issues with customers were a “civil matter”.

Peyman Oyarhossein added: “I’ve been cabbing for 29 years since 1994.

"I’ve had a few problems but nothing to take too seriously.

“95 per cent of people are fine, it’s only the minority that causes the problems.”