In a move aimed at tackling the issue of grooming gangs, Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood has indicated that the government is open to the idea of mandating CCTV in taxis across England. This comes in the wake of Baroness Casey’s report, which highlighted the use of taxis by offenders to facilitate child sexual exploitation in various parts of the country.
Currently, taxi drivers can obtain private hire vehicle licences from one council and operate in areas far beyond, taking advantage of lower standards and less stringent enforcement. This has allowed them to circumvent tough regulations, such as Rotherham’s “gold standard” licensing scheme, which includes the requirement for CCTV in cabs.
Speaking to the Commons Transport Committee, Greenwood acknowledged the urgent need to strengthen the law, stating that “a small number of people in the sector played a role in the absolutely awful abuse of girls in our communities.” While she did not want to “demonise the trade,” the minister said she was open to considering mandatory CCTV as part of national minimum standards.
Greenwood’s comments come in the wake of the Casey review, which singled out Rotherham as a council that had gone “above and beyond” in transforming its approach to taxi licensing in the aftermath of its own grooming scandal. However, the review noted that Rotherham’s efforts were being hindered by a lack of stringency elsewhere in the country, as well as legal loopholes that allow drivers to “shop around” for licences.
The government has now announced plans to introduce the power to set minimum standards in the English Devolution Bill, with the aim of reducing the incentive for drivers to “shop around” for licences. This follows a BBC investigation that revealed the scale of the problem, with one-in-five private hire vehicles in England, such as Uber and minicabs, obtaining licences from Wolverhampton City Council, where the rules are less stringent.
Responding to concerns raised by Labour MP Laurence Turner, Greenwood acknowledged the potential for a “race to the bottom” in terms of licensing standards, stating that she did not want people to be “shopping around for licences.” The minister also revealed that funding had been allocated in the spending review for a new database to assist with security checks and cross-border enforcement.
The government’s willingness to consider mandatory CCTV in taxis represents a significant step in addressing the concerns raised by the Casey report and tackling the issue of grooming gangs. As the review process continues, it remains to be seen how the government will balance the interests of the taxi industry with the need to ensure the safety and protection of vulnerable individuals.