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Colchester Taxi CCTV Concerns
Concerns in protection of data must be discussed before proposals to install CCTVs in taxis can be approved.
19:20 26 November 2018
Colchester City Council wants CCTV installed in cabs to improve safety and security of both passengers and drivers. However, drivers argue that it would be costly and may breach privacy.
The council said: “The specific purpose for collecting and retaining CCTV data is to ensure public safety.
“It is considered this is a specific and legitimate reason for collecting the data.
“Many of the concerns raised cannot be properly addressed until the matters around data protection have been further investigated. This work is essential prior to the committee being able to make an informed decision regarding CCTV in licensed vehicles.
“Further discussions are required to be undertaken.
“Following this a full report will be submitted to the committee.”
Taxi drivers have been submitting their views to the committee.
One driver said: “I have already spent a significant amount of money on my own CCTV in my private hire taxi and I do not wish to spend any more on another system which does the same job.
“My camera would be a wasted purchase - it can be transferred to another vehicle easily, without all the extra cost of re-wiring if I was to change my car.
“If any incidents happen such as a theft, I am able to replay the footage for identification and safety purposes for myself.
“However, I will not have this crucial access if it is centrally controlled and recorded elsewhere by the council.”