Cameras to help cut taxi attacks

CCTV cameras are to be fitted to taxis in a bid to cut violent attacks against drivers and fare dodgers.
The hi-tech equipment will be installed free of charge in all 236 Hackney Carriages in South Tyneside.

Cabbies hope the technology, supplied by iKabs, will reduce attacks against them, and protect them from false allegations made by female passengers.

The cameras, which will be paid for by advertising on a monitor inside the cab, will be officially launched next month.

Scott Moran, from Tyneside-based iKabs, said: "The great thing about iKabs is that it is supported entirely by advertising, which is
displayed on a flat-screen monitor inside the taxi.

"It won't cost the driver or the local authority anything, so no costs are passed on to the passenger."

The move comes just months after cabbies in South Tyneside called for CCTV to be installed in their vehicles.

Dave Kennedy, manager of Bede Taxis in Sheldon Street, Jarrow, told the Gazette in January that it would be a good idea, after one of his drivers was robbed of his takings.

He said today: "The drivers want them as it means they get security without having to pay for it.

"Since one of our drivers was attacked, we have a had a few companies call us, but they are asking for £600 upwards, depending on the system."

The iKabs will be fitted to the front of the vehicle and records all in-car activity on to a disk, securely placed under the driver's seat.

The devices activate automatically and can't be dismantled.

For further information on advertising with iKabs give us a call on 08456 188 300 or email us at info@ikabs.com

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