Chamber’s Taxi Safety Campaign Outranks Expectations

Liverpool’s city centre is now safer than ever before thanks to a ground-breaking taxi marshalling scheme pioneered by the City Centre Crime Reduction Partnership, whose members include Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, Merseyside Police and Liverpool Council.

In November 2007, the scheme teamed up private security firm Impact Security Solutions to marshal the three busiest taxi ranks in Liverpool city centre, working to eradicate queue jumping and threatening behaviour. Initially a pilot proposal, the scheme has continued to run on into March and throughout 2008 at peak times. In some areas crime is reported to be down by as many as 68 incidents on last year as a result of the scheme.

Peter Jones, Head of Liverpool Chamber’s Business Crime Direct Team, said: “Feedback from police, taxi drivers and passengers has been overwhelmingly positive.”

Stuart McBride of Impact Security Solutions also voiced his satisfaction at the achievement of the project, saying: “I believe that the marshals were a very successful initiative. The team feels as though the position has been welcomed by the public, and the taxi rank users have given the marshals great feedback on the nights.”

The initiative is set to be re-launched in time for the Mathew Street Festival on Saturday 24th August, and will be operating on taxi ranks on Victoria Street, Berry Street (by the Chinese arch) and Copperas Hill next to the Adelphi Hotel. The rank at Victoria Street is a new one and will use some of the bus stops in the street, but only after midnight when the buses no longer need the stands.

Another of Citysafe’s schemes relating to taxi drivers which has also produced extremely positive results concerns the introduction of CCTV in cab drivers vehicles. 

A recent survey carried out by Liverpool Chamber’s Business Crime Direct team showed the CCTV drive was a resounding success, with 100% of cabbies questioned saying they felt the system had improved their own safety whilst at work, whilst 96% felt the system had been of use in gaining evidence in criminal incidents. 100% also felt the system had definitely prevented crimes from occurring.

Tommy McIntyre, head of the Taxi Drivers Branch of the TGWU Union, said: “The scheme has been a resounding success, and has made both drivers and customers feel safer and better protected.”

Liverpool Chamber’s Business Crime Direct team is now looking to re-launch the CCTV fund for Liverpool cabbies in light of its recent success, and is prepared to reimburse cabbies with 50% of the cost incurred from installing a good standard CCTV system, up to £700. Anyone interested in applying for the fund should contact Business Crime Direct on 0151 224 1859 or security@liverpoolchamber.org.uk