Dunfermline taxi drivers have seen a significant reduction in crime and anti-social behaviour from passengers since installing CCTV cameras in cabs.
Thirty-five of the town’s taxis were fitted with the cameras and reports suggest that incidents of crime have dropped from 500 to just one since last May. Incidents mostly involved fare-dodgers but certain passengers became violent and in some cases assaults were carried out on drivers.
John Aitchison, chair of the West Fife Taxi Owners’ Association, commented that the cameras made drivers feel safer: “We had people getting out of cabs and running away and there have been occasional cases of people being aggressive towards drivers. It’s always been a concern for us being out at night.”
Low Cost Crack Down
The cameras, which cost only £20 each, have encouraged police involvement in the safety of cabbies too, as Aitchison explains: “There certainly seems to have been a fall in crime […] the police have been a bit more proactive as well, which has helped.” He goes on to describe his hope that the scheme will be rolled out across all of Dunfermline’s taxis, describing it as “a step forward.”
The scheme was set up in part by Dunfermline Central councillor, Bob Young, who is delighted with the overwhelming results, he said: “We were hoping for a 50 percent reduction in crime and we got nearly 100 percent.”
Knock-on Effect
The cameras not only act as a deterrent for any potential criminal activity but also provide an invaluable resource, should a crime be committed. Young explained: “There’s a knock-on effect as well on police time and court time,” claiming that, generally, when people are presented with CCTV evidence of an alleged crime they will admit their guilt.
The scheme has been a resounding success for the town since it began in May and Young assured that he’ll be recommending the same course of action to other local area committees.