Follow PHTM
Posted on the 22nd July 2025 in PHTM News
MANDATORY CCTV FOR COLCHESTER TAXIS FACES SCRAPPING AFTER YEARS OF DEBATE
Years of debate surrounding the mandatory installation of CCTV in all Colchester taxis may soon conclude with plans being scrapped.
Colchester City Council's licensing committee is set to consider a report on Wednesday, July 23, recommending against making cameras compulsory, despite earlier calls to enhance safety for both passengers and drivers.
The idea of mandatory CCTV, first proposed in 2017, has been consistently hampered by concerns over privacy laws. Paul Donaghy, the council’s licensing, community safety, and safeguarding manager, authored the report recommending against the mandate.
He cited "the proportionality of intrusive surveillance of individuals when balanced against the low levels of reported crime in taxis, by or against taxi drivers" as a key reason.
Additionally, the report highlights significant logistical and financial hurdles. Donaghy noted the requirement for Colchester Council to become the data controller if CCTV were mandated, leading to a "financial burden and impact on staffing levels, which would need to increase."
The report also pointed to the "national problem of cross-border licensing," suggesting that drivers unwilling to comply with mandatory CCTV would "simply remove themselves" from Colchester's jurisdiction and relicense elsewhere.
As an alternative, the report suggests the council instead "should encourage owners, operators and drivers" to voluntarily install CCTV, while also providing guidance on compliance with Information Commissioner’s Office regulations. This approach could then be sent out for public consultation.
The estimated cost for purchasing the initial bulk of GDPR-compliant, cloud-based CCTV cameras is £542,400, with an additional "ongoing revenue pressure" of £48,000 per year for subscriptions, software access, support, and data management.
Local taxi firm general manager, Bridget Everitt of Panther Cabs, expressed strong support for CCTV, stating: "As far as we are concerned, there should be CCTV in taxis, it protects the driver and the customer. Anything that happens in the vehicle can be looked at."
She highlighted recent incidents, noting: "we had two drivers attacked in the last couple of months." Everitt believes the council's cost estimates are inflated, suggesting simpler dashcam-like systems are sufficient and affordable for drivers.
She concluded, "I don’t think the council will go forward with it; it will cost too much money."
Read another story
- TUNBRIDGE WELLS CABBIES "FUMING" AS UBER SECURES OPERATING LICENCE
The decision by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's (TWBC) licensing department will allow Uber to cover Tunbridge Wells, Paddock Wood, Southborough, and surrounding villages.
- VAT CONSULTATION UPDATE FROM EXCHEQUER SECRETARY
Exchequer Secretary, James Murray MP, confirms VAT consultation response will be published soon.
- GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON FUTURE OF SELF DRIVING CARS
Have your say on the proposed automated passenger services permitting scheme
- NUNEATON AND BEDWORTH CONSULTATION PROPOSES EXTRA CHECKS AND PENALTY POINTS
The new policy outlines a penalty points scheme and other "significant criteria" for licensing.
- TAXI CRACKDOWN IN CHESTER ENSURES COMPLIANCE AND PASSENGER SAFETY
The initiative, dubbed Operation Recordings, saw 53 vehicles stopped, with several significant issues identified.
- RACIST STOKE THUG SPARED PRISON AFTER BRUTAL CABBIE ATTACK OVER FARE
Robert Barone, 51, was handed a community order despite a violent outburst that left the cabbie needing stitches and his car damaged.
- CRAWLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL CONSIDERS CCTV AND PANIC BUTTONS FOR TAXIS AND PHVS
The council has launched a public consultation to gather feedback on these measures, alongside a review of taxi identification signage.
- IPSWICH TAXI DRIVER LOSES LICENCE AFTER SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND FAILURE TO REPORT
he decision, made on Wednesday, July 2, came after Suffolk police informed the council of the alleged incident.
- PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER REPORTED FOR SUMMONS AFTER DANGEROUS A50 STOP
Staffordshire Police Roads Unit brought attention to the alarming incident in a post on X (formerly Twitter), sharing an image of the implicated grey Toyota C-HR
- HATE CRIME PROBE AFTER RACIST ATTACK ON CHESHAM TAXI DRIVERS
The cabbies described being subjected to racist slurs, shouting, and even having a glass bottle thrown at them.
- ABINGDON TAXI BOSS FEARS CLOSURE AS UBERS AGGRESSIVE PRICING HITS LOCAL FIRMS
Yaseem Yusuf, who runs Thames Valley Taxis, claims his trade has fallen by 50% and that Uber's practices are "squeezing out local firms who could not afford to operate at a loss."
- "DANGEROUS" TAXIS ON KIRKLEES ROADS AS OVER 40% FAIL ANNUAL SAFETY TESTS
A report presented to Kirklees Council’s Licensing Committee revealed that up to 42% are failing monthly inspections, with the overall failure rate for the past year standing at over 25%.
- WOKING COUNCIL SEEKS VIEWS ON WHEELCHAIR TAXI EMISSION RULES
Residents, taxi drivers, and community groups are being invited to share their views on the future of wheelchair accessible taxis in Woking borough.
- STAFFORD BOROUGH TAXIS SET FOR FARE HIKE WITH FLAG FALL JUMPING FROM £3.10 TO £4
Taxi fares in Stafford Borough are poised for a significant increase, with the proposed starting rate for a standard journey jumping from £3.10 to £4.
- BURNLEY COUNCILLOR RAISES ALARM OVER CABBIE'S ENGLISH PROFICIENCY
Cllr Alan Hosker, has voiced strong concerns regarding the English language proficiency of some taxi and private hire vehicle drivers in the borough, calling for new regulations.
- BANBURY TAXI DRIVER LOSES LICENCE AFTER APPEAL OVER UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
Mohammed Shahzad, 46, has permanently lost his licence after a Magistrates' Court upheld Cherwell DC's decision to revoke it due to "unprofessional" conduct towards a vulnerable female passenger.
- FREENOW INVESTS IN FUTURE OF LONDON'S ICONIC BLACK CABS WITH NEW FINANCIAL SUBSIDY
Launched to coincide with the 160th anniversary of "The Knowledge of London" – the world-renowned test for black cab drivers established in 1865.
- RIP: SAD TO REPORT THE SUDDEN DEATH OF MUCH LOVED TODMORDEN PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER KHALIL REHMAN
A town is in mourning for a well-known and loved Calderdale taxi driver who died suddenly on Tuesday 15 July.
- EDINBURGH CABBIE'S LICENCE MAY BE SUSPENDED AGAIN FOR SHOUTING AT ELDERLY PASSENGER
Baris Eroglu first had his taxi licence suspended in 2024 after receiving three complaints in just over three months.
- UBER TO PAY $2718 MILLION COMPENSATION IN SETTLEMENT WITH AUSTRALIAN CABBIES
The class action suit centres on Uber’s launch into Australia before it was legalised and the impact of this on taxi drivers, particularly those who had paid for expensive licences.
