A pilot Taxi Guard Scheme run in Chelmsford for over the past six months is showing positive results.
Since the introduction of the taxi rank management scheme public order offences in the area have reduced. This has been well received by the Borough Council, which has approved a three month extension of the scheme.
Taxi Marshalls
Security staff will be in operation during peak evening periods at a new taxi rank at Chelmsford bus station. Two taxi marshals will help to control the taxi rank ensuring people get into taxis safely, preventing queue jumping and ensuring no food or drink is taken into taxis. All taxi marshals will be SIA (Security Industry Authority) registered.
Council spokesman for safer communities, Ian Grundy, told the BBC: “The feedback from taxi drivers and taxi users was very positive, with both groups saying they would like the scheme to continue.”
“Recent crime figures have also shown that there has been a real reduction in public order offences in the area.”