INSTALLING CCTV in taxis cannot go ahead without further talks around data protection.

Colchester Council’s licensing committee is due to discuss the revised taxi licensing policy tomorrow.

The council wants CCTV installed in cabs but drivers say it would be costly and may breach privacy.

A meeting was held last month with a number of drivers where a number of issues were raised.

One key consideration is the new data protection rules.

A report in the committee agenda said: “The specific purpose for collecting and retaining CCTV data is to ensure public safety.

“It is considered this is a specific and legitimate reason for collecting the data.

“Many of the concerns raised cannot be properly addressed until the matters around data protection have been further investigated. This work is essential prior to the committee being able to make an informed decision regarding CCTV in licensed vehicles.

“Further discussions are required to be undertaken.

“Following this a full report will be submitted to the committee.”

Taxi drivers have been submitting their views to the committee.

One driver said: “I have already spent a significant amount of money on my own CCTV in my private hire taxi and I do not wish to spend any more on another system which does the same job.

“My camera would be a wasted purchase - it can be transferred to another vehicle easily, without all the extra cost of re-wiring if I was to change my car.

“If any incidents happen such as a theft, I am able to replay the footage for identification and safety purposes for myself.

“However, I will not have this crucial access if it is centrally controlled and recorded elsewhere by the council.”

Other drivers said it should be down to the owner’s discretion, and should not be compulsory.

Another report on the agenda, it said there was no intention, nor ability legally, to obtain and view footage without a specific purpose. said: “The council will only be seeking to view footage where it has been identified in advance there is a legitimate reason to do so.”

“Drivers will not be able to access the data and there will be no ability to view it unless in the investigation of a complaint.

“Final costings are difficult to obtain until the exact specification of the CCTV required is known.”

It is recommended the policy be put to full council for adoption, coming into effect on January 1, after data protection has been further investigated.