New plans will see cabbies patrolling the streets
'TaxiWatch' is being described as 'neighbourhood watch on wheels'
Last updated 19th Jan 2024
Plans are being launched that would see taxi drivers patrolling the streets of a Lancashire town to help stamp out crime.
Under the new plans by The Chorley Taxi Association their approved drivers would be instructed to report any incidents or suspicious behaviour they see while they are working.
"It is basically neighbourhood watch on wheels" Shaz Malik, founder of the association tells us.
"The benefit to this is if everyone participates in this Chorley will become a more desirable place to live in because the crime rates will come down, and its achievable" he adds.
The scheme would see a system implemented where taxi drivers approved by the CTA would report any instances to CCTV headquarters and then onto the police.
With 50 drivers in their ranks who are all DBS cleared and certified by the association, Shaz believes the sheer number of drivers patrolling will have a huge impact on the local area: "We've got 50 people on the ground to actually keep an eye on Chorley.
"Criminal activities normally happen during the night, so we will have people driving around making sure that Chorley is a secure place and any incidents we will be reporting them."
Shaz added: "What we are planning to stamp out is anti-social behaviour. It has been a problem in the last year and we don't want that to repeat this year so we are putting things into motion to put a stop to that.
"It will probably reduce it anti-social behaviour massively I'd say."
"When you look at it its very simple, its not anything complicated. Its trying to get together the trade together or people who are willing to participate and support our community"
Chorley Taxi Association say they will be putting the idea to the local council and the police in the hopes of getting the scheme off the ground in the coming months.
"My facourite saying is even Batman didn't do it alone" Shaz jokes, before describing what he hopes he will see in the near future: "So basically when you see one of our taxis, think about it, it might be a police car so if you are going to do any criminal activities in Chorley think twice."