Oxford taxis CCTV plans scrapped

Plans for CCTV to be installed in taxis in Oxford have been scrapped.

A consultation on the idea was first launched in 2011 by the city council's licensing committee.

The scheme was suspended last year amid opposition from drivers and concerns from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) about data protection.

Now it has been axed after an appeal lodged by Southampton City Council against an order to stop a similar scheme failed at a tribunal.

The ICO ordered Southampton City Council to halt the use of cameras in July last year, saying it breached the Data Protection Act.

'Not necessary'

Oxford City Council had also been issued with a preliminary enforcement notice by the ICO relating to its plans to make audio-visual recording compulsory in the city's taxis.

City councillor Saj Malik, who has driven a black cab in the city for more than 20 years, welcomed the decision.

He said: "It was never required. I think common sense has prevailed. It's not necessary."

Councillor Colin Cook, chairman of Oxford's general purposes licensing committee, said: "The decision was made because of the case with Southampton City Council and the response from the Information Commissioner's Office.

"The Information Commissioner's Office thought the audio-visual recording was excessive and not justified, and that is why we have made the decision that we have."