PEOPLE are being asked for their views on the installation of CCTV cameras in Craven taxis.

Craven District Council has already agreed in principle to the bringing in of security cameras to both hackney carriage and private hire vehicles in the district as part of a review of its taxi licensing policy carried out two years ago.

But, before it makes a final decision on implementation, which would see CCTV in vehicles mandatory from the start of April next year, it is carrying out a consultation with members of the public, whether they use taxis or not, members of the taxi trade themselves, and any other interested organisations.

Tim Chadwick, licensing manager at Craven District Council, said cameras in vehicles would protect both the drivers and their passengers, some of who were vulnerable members of society.

“We believe that having CCTV in all licensed vehicles will enable the prevention and detection of crime and promote a safer experience for both licensed drivers and the travelling public,” he said.

“Drivers of licensed vehicles are placed in a position of trust to carry, sometimes unaccompanied, and vulnerable individuals within our society.”

Mr Chadwick added: “The council also recognises the vulnerable position that drivers of licensed vehicles place themselves in on a daily basis; they can be subject to verbal and physical abuse, robberies and false allegations. Furthermore, the drivers play a pivotal role in dispersing members of the public who make use of the night time economy.

“We would like to hear from members of the public and the taxi trade, as well as partners and stakeholders, to get a wide range of responses to this proposal.”

Members of the council’s Licensing Committee have proposed that the implementation of CCTV in Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles should be made mandatory from April 1, next year.

Under the proposals, cameras would be able to record both outside the front of the vehicle and inside, including the passenger area.

No sound recordings would be made while people were in the vehicle, unless an audio recording button was activated, which could be separately activated by either the driver, passenger, or passengers.

The proposed scheme would mean that the council would be the data controller and be the only authorised organisation able to access any of the CCTV footage - neither drivers or vehicle operators would have access to any of the filmed footage.

The council says any downloads of footage to be requested would only cover the period when any incident was reported to have happened.

The results of the public consultation exercise will be presented to the licensing committee for a final decision on implementation.

To take part in the survey online, go to: surveymonkey.co.uk/r/CRAVENCCTV ; or to fill out a paper copy of the consultation, pick one up from the council offices at Belle Vue Square, Broughton Road, Skipton.