CCTV cameras in taxis could be mandatory

CCTV cameras could be made mandatory in Coventry taxis and private hire vehicles.

Stricter new rules are being considered by Coventry City Council with councillors told CCTV cameras could “provide a safer environment” for drivers and passengers.

It is one of a string of changes under consideration for the council’s Statement of Licensing Policy to reflect updated standards published by the government last July.

Other changes include: more routine DBS checks for drivers, the faster notification of offences, an arrest or charge, and new crossboundary enforcement action.

Plans were outlined at a council meeting where a 12-week consultation was agreed.

Sarah Elliott, head of fleet and waste management, said all councils within the West Midlands Combined Authority have agreed to most of the changes in principle.

“The board have agreed in principle to adopt the standards proposed in the Department for Transport report as a minimum in their taxi and licensing processes to ensure that maximum consistency across our region,” she told the meeting on Wednesday, April 14.

“The only exception to this is the mandatory requirement for CCTV which will be decided locally following the individual consultation.” Cabinet member for city services, Cllr Pat Hetherton, added: “At all times it is about the safety of everyone involved, the taxi drivers and their personal safety, but also passengers in the vehicles.”

Currently drivers undergo a DBS check with their first application and then every three years, costing £54, however DBS checks could be made every six months which would cost £270 over three years based on current prices.

Drivers could alternatively pay £13 per year to subscribe to a ‘Disclosure and Barring Service Update’ which would give councils the ability to check a driver’s certificate online at any time.

Private hire vehicle proprietors could also undertake an annual DBS check.

A further change will also require licence holders to notify the council within 48 hours of a motoring offence, arrest or release, charge or conviction of a sexual offence, or any offence involving dishonesty and violence. Current requirements only ask taxi drivers to notify of convictions upon renewal, and within one week of conviction for private hire vehicles. Councils could also take enforcement action against drivers who are licensed by another authority when they cross into their boundary. Final changes would need to be approved by the council’s Licensing and Regulatory Committee after consultation.