Follow PHTM
Posted on the 29th July 2025 in PHTM News
COLCHESTER TAXI AND PRIVATE HIRE DRIVERS WILL NOT BE FORCED TO INSTALL CCTV
Taxi and private hire drivers in Colchester will not be compelled to install CCTV cameras in their vehicles, despite calls from some councillors to make the requirement mandatory.
The decision came during a Colchester City Council licensing committee meeting on July 23.
Council papers reveal that the chairman and other committee members had previously expressed a desire for mandatory CCTV in all taxis. However, the council ultimately opted against enforcing the measure, citing significant financial implications.
The initial bulk purchase of CCTV units alone was estimated at £542,400.
Instead, the council has agreed to "encourage owners, operators, and drivers to fit CCTV," while also providing guidance on correct usage as set by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). Those who choose to install cameras will be urged to comply with all relevant regulations.
Paul Donaghy, the council's licensing, community safety, and safeguarding manager, explained the complexities of mandating CCTV.
He stated that: "Mandating CCTV installation would cause a one-off and ongoing financial burden to the council."
Donaghy also highlighted that according to Local Government Association guidance, the use of CCTV and audio in taxis "must be proportionate to the risk presented."
He further elaborated on the need for justification, noting: "The main rationale for using audio recording is to pick up any inappropriate conversations between passengers and drivers. For example, when they are carrying children."
Donaghy stressed the importance of public confidence in surveillance systems, reiterating the ICO's stance that such use must be "lawful, fair, transparent, and meets the other standards set in data protection law."
He added that the council would be "required to demonstrate that any new monitoring system’s implementation is designed with privacy by default and proportionate to the risks identified.”
Councillor Jocelyn Law, responsible for communities and public protection, suggested that a public consultation on the matter would be beneficial.
Read another story
- ROCHDALE CABS GET MORE TIME TO GO GREEN IN CLEAN AIR PUSH
Rochdale taxi and private hire drivers are being granted a significant extension to upgrade their vehicles to greener models, pushing the deadline back by nearly five years to August 31, 2030.
- WILTSHIRE TAXI DRIVER SUSPENDED AMID "PESTERING A GIRL FOR A KISS" ALLEGATIONS
The male private hire driver, who was working for the company Swoop, picked up the teenager in Swindon and drove her approximately 15 miles to her destination in Calne.
- COVENTRY COUNCIL CONSIDERS U TURN ON TAXI EMISSION RULES AMIDST FLEET SHORTAGE FEARS
The proposed changes, agreed at a recent cabinet meeting, will now undergo an eight-week public consultation starting August 8th.
- STOKE-ON-TRENT IS TO INTRODUCE NEW RULES TO MAKE THE CITY'S TAXIS SAFER AND GREENER
The city council's cabinet approved changes that will mean all taxi owners must have DBS checks for unspent convictions and cautions.
- COUNCIL AND TAXI FIRM WORKING TOGETHER TO RECRUIT NEW DRIVERS TO THE TOWN
A Worksop taxi company is helping to recruit much needed additional drivers in the district thanks to a streamline pre-licensing process, supported by Bassetlaw District Council.
- THANET TRADE PROTEST OVER COUNCIL PROPOSALS TO IMPLEMENT PENALTY POINTS SYSTEM
Thanet District Council (TDC) has come under fire after releasing a draft of its policy for private hire and Hackney Carriages, which proposes a penalty points system to keep drivers in check.
- HMRC UPDATE: NEW SERVICES FOR SELF ASSESSMENT CUSTOMERS AS PAYMENT DEADLINE APPROACHES
People who pay their tax through Self Assessment are to benefit from new services, making the process simpler and easier, the Government has announced.
- ELECTRIC BOOST EV CHARGEPOINTS IN THE UK GROW BY 27 PER CENT IN A YEAR
Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood confirmed today that the number of chargepoints in the UK has grown by 27% in the past year, with 17,370 added since July 2024.
- STEVENAGE TAXI RANK FACES REMOVAL AMIDST TOWN CENTRE DEVELOPMENT
Stevenage Borough Council is proposing to eliminate the taxi rank on Danestrete as part of the ongoing redevelopment of the former Swingate House site.
- GUERNSEY TAXI DRIVER DUMPS DASHCAM AFTER CRASH WITH CYCLIST AND BLAMES CARBON MONOXIDE
John Howard Robert, 65, initially denied charges of dangerous driving and perverting the course of public justice but later pleaded guilty.
- POLICE LAUNCH SUMMER CRACKDOWN AS "MORNING AFTER" DRINK-DRIVE RISK REVEALED
Research by the road safety charity IAM RoadSmart found that more than a third (38%) of drivers admit to consuming alcohol after 9pm, despite planning to drive before 9am the following day.
- CLARE'S CABS IN ABERTILLERY NAMED TAXI COMPANY OF THE YEAR FOR BLAENAU GWENT
Parry, who started her company in August 2023, was previously a driver for a larger firm before deciding to branch out on her own.
- ARBROATH CABBIE BUSTED WITH NEARLY A MILLION ILLEGAL CIGARETTES
Andrejs Nikitins, has been caught with a massive haul of illegal cigarettes and tobacco, valued at over £400,000 in unpaid duty and VAT.
- BOLTON COUNCIL MOVES TO SUSPEND 74 TAXI DRIVERS OVER INCOMPLETE TRAINING
Dozens of taxi drivers in Bolton face suspension for failing to complete mandatory safeguarding and disability awareness training, six years after the programme was first approved.
- POLICE SEIZE £39K IN CASH FROM TAXI TRAVELLING SOUTH ON M6 FROM GLASGOW
The money, found in the boot of the vehicle, was discovered after officers stopped the taxi on Saturday, July 19.
- DENBIGHSHIRE TAXI FARE HIKE DELAY AFFECTING RHYL DRIVERS
Taxi drivers in Denbighshire will have to wait until at least September for an approved fare increase to take effect, a delay that one taxi firm owner calls "modern-day slavery."
- MANDATORY CCTV FOR COLCHESTER TAXIS FACES SCRAPPING AFTER YEARS OF DEBATE
Colchester City Council's licensing committee will consider a report on July 23, recommending against making CCTV compulsory, despite earlier calls to enhance safety for passengers and drivers.
- 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
