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A number of taxis across Telford and Wrekin have been fitted with CCTV’s in a new pilot launched by this council.
The Scheme has been set up to see whether it can help deter crime and anti-social behaviour to make licensed drivers and passengers feel safe.
This is a voluntary scheme in partnership with West Mercia Police, and our aim is to gather feedback from drivers and passengers about whether CCTV helps them feel safer.
We know that CCTV acts as a visible deterrent to crime. From the driver’s point of view, having CCTV in their vehicle may make them feel less vulnerable to attacks or fare dodging. In addition to the stringent checks our council licensing officers make, passengers may feel further reassured knowing there is CCTV.
The cameras will not record sound except in an emergency to protect privacy. Footage will only be accessed if there is a complaint, or the driver or passenger makes a request to see it.
Signage will be displayed inside and outside the vehicle telling passengers the vehicle is fitted with CCTV and how to request a recording.
Unlike other areas, Telford & Wrekin Council will be responsible for the data rather than the driver, giving the public confidence their personal information is secure.
Funding for the CCTV pilot has come from the Community Safety Partnership and the Police and Crime Commissioner.
Our taxi drivers play an important role in our society. It is hoped that by fitting CCTV in taxis it will help deter crime and abusive behaviour and will offer reassurance to both drivers and passengers.
We look forward to seeing the results of the pilot.
To assist members of the public, we have put together some frequently asked questions regarding the use of CCTV in licensed vehicles:
What’s the purpose of CCTV in Taxi’s?
- To seek to safeguard vulnerable passengers.
- To provide assurance to drivers to protect them from unjustified allegations.
- To try to prevent and detect crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour.
- To reduce both the real and perceived level of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour.
- To provide reassurance to law abiding citizens by the legal and effective use of CCTV.
- To assist in the apprehension and prosecution of offenders.
- To support the detection of offences and to provide evidential material for court proceedings.
- To gather evidence by a fair and accountable method.
How will I know my taxi has CCTV?
All Taxi’s fitted with CCTV have to display a visible sign on the outside of the vehicle and an interior sign stating the following information:
- the purposes of the scheme
- the name of the Data Controller
- the Data Controller’s contact telephone number
- that it includes audio by the activation of an emergency audio button
- direction to the Council’s privacy notice.
Who can see the images the CCTV unit records?
Only the data controller can view the images. Telford & Wrekin Council are the data controller for all CCTV units fitted in their licensed vehicles. Only approved Licensing Officers will have access to the images. Images will only be downloaded for authorised purposes only.
Is somebody watching the images when I am in the taxi?
No, the images can not be viewed live in real time. The images will have to be downloaded from the sealed unit in the vehicle by the Council’s Licensing Officers.
Will my conversations be recorded?
No, the CCTV only records images unless you or the driver press the panic button and the conversation will then be recorded for 3 minutes.
How do I access my own images?
Last updated: 15/02/2023 14:42
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