Taxi drivers in Peterborough say potential mandatory CCTV is an invasion of their privacy
It comes as the council are voting on cameras being put into the cars
Taxi drivers in Peterborough are telling us that mandatory CCTV would be an invasion of privacy.
Peterborough City Council will be voting on the cameras being put into cars tonight.
It's an extra burden on the drivers
It's after the council's licensing committee voted for cameras to be mandatory in all taxis in September for public safety, safeguarding and wellbeing.
It was then recommended to be put to a full council vote.
If approved the costs to purchase, install and annually maintain the CCTV equipment would fall to the owner of the business.
Any CCTV systems already installed in licensed vehicles would need to meet our specification.
As well as this, taxi drivers would need to have cameras installed within 18 months.
If the council want us to have the cameras they should fund it
A taxi driver in the city said:
"I don't think it's a good idea."
"If the council want us to have the cameras they should fund it."
"It will intrude on my privacy because it's on from the moment I come into the car until the moment I come home."
"At the moment it's very difficult just to make ends meet."
"It's an extra burden on the drivers."
"It should be an option for the drivers, not forced onto us."
The council say they are fully aware of feedback from local taxi businesses and will continue to support and work closely with them whatever the outcome of the meeting.