The Chubb CabWatch trial was launched following research showing cabdrivers experience 15 times the average exposure to occupational violence, with a total of 24 cab drivers being murdered in nine years.
Chubb CabWatch uses a tiny camera installed inside the taxi, which records and stores images of passengers. If drivers feel threatened, they can press a secret button that will send an alert to Chubb's monitoring station, and the GPS system pinpoints the exact location of the taxi so that police can track its speed and direction.
An audio channel within the system also transmits sounds from the vehicle. Images of the event can be downloaded later to Chubb's remote video response centre.
The Leicester trial follows a similar trial carried out by Bolton Council where drivers reported a significant reduction in crime and a noticeable 'deterrent' factor. Ten cars took part in the six-week trial in Bolton.
One experienced female driver reported an incident during a late night journey. While taking three young men home, the talk amongst the men was not about paying the fare. The conversation soon developed into talk of stealing her 'takings' for the night. When she reached the destination, the cabdriver told the passengers they were 'on camera' and their conversations had been recorded. The young men duly paid the fare and left the vehicle.
Bolton Council is now looking into setting up a leasing system enabling taxi drivers to buy the system on weekly or monthly payments.
Sergeant Ian Dawson, deputy policing commander for Leicester City Centre, endorsed the scheme, believing it encourage more night cabs.
* Protector security services has won a £250,000 security contract on the back of a Vehicle Management Information (VMI) system it has fitted in its fleet of 13 vans. The blue 'box of tricks' allows the company to measure exactly how much time security guards have spent at clients' premises.
Technical manager, Gareth Hughes, says it has also allowed Protector to enhance its service to clients by increasing the level of care. Patrolling guards can be located at any time of the day by live-tracking the vehicle.
The VMI system, pioneered by Leeds-based Minorplanet, records vehicle location data to the minute in real-time and stores it for later analysis. Businesses using the system, which has powerful route planning software, have reported up to 20% savings on fuel, insurance and wages.
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Security Installer
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