PLANS to make all Bournemouth taxis carry CCTV cameras have been shelved because of fears the move would invade people’s privacy.

The proposal was put forward by council officers following a series of incidents in which taxi drivers had been held at gunpoint, attacked with CS spray, subjected to racist abuse, spat at, threatened and attacked.

A report to the licensing board heard that the council could foot the installation bill of between £600 and £700 a cab, then charge owners a leasing fee of around £15 a month, or 75p a day.

It said: “CCTV cameras provide protection for both drivers and passengers. They deter assaults, theft and non-payment by passengers and protect passengers from inappropriate actions of drivers.” The footage would have only been made accessible to investigating officers looking into alleged criminal offences.

Councillor Andrew Morgan, the council’s chairman of licensing, said: “The board considered the issue closely and decided that the installation of CCTV would be a disproportionate step and a real infringement on privacy.”

After the decision, taxi driver Bill Prescott said: “We can ill afford any unnecessary expenses at the moment. I run 13 cars and have hardly had any incidents.”

Driver Stephen Walker said: “People want privacy. We see people who shouldn’t be together and people in a drunken state, including councillors, judges, doctors.

“Also we should have the right to if we so wish – we shouldn’t be forced.”

Another driver, Ian, who did not want to reveal his surname, said: “I think everybody would feel safer, customers and drivers.

“I experience crime all the time, but it’s a waste of time calling the police.

“These guys out here are working for £3 an hour, doing a 15 hour day just to earn a living.

“We can’t afford 75p a day.”