Car Cameras To Enhance Private Hire Taxi Safety

An initiative which will see CCTV installed into licensed private hire vehicles in Wrexham has been launched today.

The Council’s Licensing Department are working in partnership with North Wales police to reduce crime and the fear of crime, make passengers feel safe as well as making drivers safer in their working environment. The cameras will also help if a vehicle is involved in a collision or road traffic incident. The footage can be used as evidence for insurers or other authorities.

The scheme is a pilot in Wrexham and was made possible by funding of £4,500 made available to the Community Safety Partnership. As a result, every town centre private hire office will be participating in the scheme and given cameras. The scheme was designed with the co operation of the Wrexhams private hire operators who put forward the name for the scheme ‘Camera Cars-Ceir Camera’.

The sticker and logo to look out for.

Joss Thomas, Licensing Team Leader said: “The scheme is an exciting and innovative solution in ensuring peoples safety and has been welcomed by the private hire trade.

“The private hire companies helped us enormously with the development of the scheme and it could not have been implemented without their valued collaboration.”

Every camera must comply with the Data Commission regulations and the vehicle will contain promotional material available to customers explaining the scheme.

Vehicles with cameras installed will display a sticker on the vehicle windscreens showing that it is part of the scheme, as pictured above.

This morning’s launch took place at Wrexham and Prestige Taxis on Brook Street.

Ceir Camera Car launch@prestige taxi office Wrexham. Cameras funded by LPB. 2 will be given to wxm taxi offices pic.twitter.com/2Tq9RVXcxD

— Sgt Sue Richards (@NWPSueRichards) October 15, 2014