Pilot scheme aims to protect passenger and driver safety

14 Jul 2025

Protecting the safety of taxi passengers and drivers alike is the focus of a new pilot scheme that is being launched in West Suffolk.

West Suffolk Council has secured funding for a voluntary pilot scheme that will see CCTV installed in 30 taxis – 10 in Bury St Edmunds, 10 in Haverhill and another 10 in Newmarket.

It comes just weeks after the Casey report on the child grooming scandal, and the allegation that taxi or private hire drivers were involved.

West Suffolk Council takes public safety including that of customers and drivers, very seriously.

The CCTV pilot scheme has been secured with funding from Suffolk Community Foundation through the Serious Violence Duty Grantmaking Programme.
The six-month scheme which will cost around £18,000, will be entirely voluntary – drivers will put themselves forward to have CCTV installed in their vehicles. The equipment and installation will not cost anything to the taxi driver or operator.  

At the end of the six months, the council will evaluate the pilot and if it is successful it will discuss with the trade, options for taking it forward.

Cllr Gerald Kelly, Cabinet Member for Governance, Regulatory and Environment, at West Suffolk Council, said: “We are hoping that drivers and operators will see the advantages of having CCTV in their vehicles. It offers protection and reassurance to their customers at a time when passenger safety has been flagged through the Casey report. But it also offers protection to drivers – as evidence that can be used both for prosecutions and as defence against false accusations.”

Taxi drivers in West Suffolk are being asked to put themselves forward to be consider for the pilot by emailing licensing@westsuffolk.gov.uk and including Taxi CCTV in the subject line.

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