Cameras to deter attacks on cabbies

Concerns have been expressed by cab drivers working in the Scarborough area about the threats of violence which they have endured from passengers.

The borough council has received a series of requests for surveillance cameras to be installed in licensed vehicles operating in towns including Whitby, Filey and Scarborough itself.

Councillors are expected to approve a six-week consultation on Monday before considering plans to allow closed circuit TV to be installed in Hackney cabs and private hire vehicles.

Council officers have claimed that the move will help prevent crime as well as assisting North Yorkshire Police officers identify any offenders who physically attack or verbally abuse drivers.

The cameras would also help investigations into any complaints that cab drivers had behaved inappropriately to passengers.

A pilot scheme which was introduced in Sheffield cabs five years ago resulted in saw a dramatic reduction in the threats of violence to drivers.

A survey of 33 drivers who were involved in the Sheffield scheme revealed that threats of violence fell sharply from one in seven fares to less than one in 100 after the cameras were installed.

Members of Scarborough Council’s licensing committee will also consider plans to introduce a 20p fare increase on every cab journey.

If the rise is agreed by councillors, the cost of a standard journey of three miles will increase by 3.2 per cent from £6.20 to £6.40.

The last application for a fare increase in the Scarborough area was made in July 2008.

The Scarborough and District Taxi Association has claimed that the latest rise is necessary to counter the rising cost of living and fuel.