Coventry Council to revisit CCTV in taxis as task and finish group launched

Coventry City Council is forming a task and finish group to review whether CCTV should be made mandatory in all licensed taxis. The decision follows a previous consultation where the majority of respondents opposed compulsory CCTV installation.

The new group, backed by the Communities and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Board, will explore the potential benefits and concerns around requiring all taxis to be fitted with CCTV. Currently, drivers can install systems voluntarily but must register with the Information Commissioner’s Office as the data controller.

The issue has regained attention following a high-profile case earlier this year. A Coventry taxi driver was jailed in January 2025 after sexually assaulting a woman in his cab in December 2022. The case has increased pressure to re-examine whether mandatory CCTV could improve passenger safety.

A 2022 report to the Cabinet Member saw 67.9% of public consultation responses reject the idea of compulsory CCTV in taxis. Despite this, the Council is seeking a fresh assessment, taking into account crime data, national guidance, data protection obligations, installation costs, and the practices of other areas.

The task and finish group will include the Chair of the Licensing and Regulatory Committee and aims to provide findings and recommendations within the current municipal year. These outcomes will be considered by both the Scrutiny Board and the Licensing and Regulatory Committee.

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