An initiative has been set up following the rise in numbers of fare-dodging crimes reported by hackney taxi and private hire drivers in Hastings.
Hastings Borough Council has joined forces with local police to crack down on crime and invited taxi firm owners to join them at the launch of their new ‘Taxi Watch’ initiative.
The meeting, which took place in the town hall, gave owners the chance to ask police and council representatives questions about the scheme and invited them to sign an information sharing protocol if they chose to participate.
Crack Down on Crime
Licensing Officer, Bob Brown, commented: “We fully support Taxi Watch, It’s another tool to help make the town safer. The taxi and private hire trade are very important businesses supporting the community and they deserve all the support that the Council and police can deliver.”
The scheme has been heavily supported by the council who believe the taxi trade deserve to be given more support in order to crack down on crime. There are fully aware of the numbers of fare-dodgers and appreciate that they can particularly affect financial situations.
Council leader Jeremy Birch also commented: “Community safety is important to us and the town’s taxi service is valuable to us. We already support Bar Watch and Shop Watch and will support this new project wholeheartedly, for a safe and vibrant town.”
Participation
So far, 21 taxi businesses across the borough have agreed to take part in the scheme and receive useful information directly from the police, including names, addresses and descriptions of any individuals caught committing the crime.
Inspector Chris Veale, of the Hastings Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “In essence this is a simple way for police, the council and the taxi operatives to work together towards a shared outcome of reducing crime and helping to protect taxi firms against financial loss.
“Police will share with scheme members the details of people who have not paid for their fare. Not only is this a crime but it also means financial loss and time wasted for the taxi driver. All taxi operators are then armed with addresses, detailed descriptions and/or photographs of individuals who have not paid for their fares. It is up to their discretion whether or not to accept the person or to request up front payment.”