During the meeting, council officers emphasised that the move was necessary to enhance safety for both drivers and passengers
Peterborough City Council has voted in favor of making CCTV installation mandatory in both Hackney black cabs and private hire taxis across the city. The decision, driven by public safety concerns, was approved by the council’s licensing committee with a vote of six to three, and two members abstaining.
During the meeting, council officers emphasised that the move was necessary to enhance safety for both drivers and passengers. However, the decision has sparked discontent among taxi operators. Ali Hyder, representing the Peterborough Taxi Hire Federation, expressed strong opposition, calling the new rule “intrusive of privacy” and warning it would place a “financial burden” on an already struggling industry. He further voiced concerns that many drivers might be forced out of the trade due to the costs involved, saying, “This decision makes me angry.”
The new rule will affect over 1,800 taxi drivers and more than 100 operators across the city, who now have between 12 to 18 months to install CCTV systems in their vehicles. The council’s decision follows a consultation that took place between November 2022 and February 2023, in which more than 600 responses were received, including 288 from taxi drivers. Many drivers raised concerns that the costs of installing the surveillance equipment would be unaffordable and could potentially compromise client confidentiality.
Despite the concerns from those in the taxi trade, some passengers welcomed the move, stating that it would help them feel safer during their journeys. Several local authorities have already adopted similar measures in response to incidents where CCTV has proven beneficial in ensuring safety.
A report from the council’s licensing committee supported the decision, stating, “There is evidence to support the view that taxis and private hire vehicles are a high-risk environment.” Officers maintained that the new policy is essential for public safety, benefiting both passengers and drivers.
In response to these claims, Mr. Hyder argued that existing safety measures, such as vehicle tracking systems that provide passengers with driver details and enhanced driver background checks, already ensure a safe environment. He also pointed out that the trade is already facing challenges from “out-of-city drivers,” who would not be subject to the new CCTV rule as they operate under different council regulations.
The new mandate is set to be implemented in the coming months, with authorities aiming to strike a balance between enhancing public safety and addressing the concerns raised by the local taxi industry.
