No mandatory CCTV in Redditch taxis as licensing review finds little evidence to support change
- Perry Richardson
- Oct 7
- 2 min read
A recent review by Redditch Borough Council has concluded there is no current need to mandate CCTV in licensed taxis across the borough.
The report, presented at a Licensing Committee meeting in July, reviewed the Council’s position on in-vehicle CCTV following the introduction of the Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards in 2022. While the policy encourages councils to consider CCTV, local authorities must assess whether there is sufficient evidence to justify its implementation.
Currently, Redditch operates a voluntary CCTV scheme, allowing licensed drivers to install systems if they notify the council in advance. Any equipment used must comply with the Data Protection Act 2018 and meet standards set by the Information Commissioner’s Office. However, Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS), which oversees licensing enforcement, confirmed there is little uptake of the voluntary scheme among local drivers.
Analysis of complaints and intelligence data found most issues related to driver conduct or vehicle condition, rather than serious safeguarding concerns. WRS officers concluded there was no clear pattern of incidents such as assault or substance misuse that would justify introducing a borough-wide CCTV requirement.
The cost of compliant CCTV systems, estimated between £500 and £1,200, was raised by committee members as a significant concern. Some councillors argued the financial burden on drivers, particularly in the current economic climate, outweighed the potential benefits of mandatory installation. Others questioned why more drivers had not adopted CCTV voluntarily, suggesting it could offer protection for both drivers and passengers.
Licensing officers stressed that safeguarding training for drivers now includes personal safety and safeguarding awareness. They also highlighted the council’s ongoing partnerships with police and community safety teams through the Multi Agency Targeted Enforcement (MATE) meetings, where taxi-related intelligence is regularly reviewed.
The committee was assured that should any future evidence indicate a need for mandatory CCTV, officers would act quickly to present data and recommendations to councillors.
Redditch Borough Council remains committed to monitoring the situation and may revisit the policy if incident patterns shift.
