‘EMBARRASSMENT’: Taxi association challenges police over cameras catching U-turning Aldwych cabbies
A London taxi association has criticised the Met Police over the use of cameras catching U-turning Aldwych cabbies.
Steve McNamara, General Secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA), has strongly criticised recent police actions targeting London taxi drivers. According to McNamara, officers have been penalising cabbies for performing ‘U’ turns on Aldwych, raising concerns over police priorities.
McNamara revealed in TAXI Newspaper that videos captured by officers’ body-worn cameras depict what he describes as an excessive response to a minor traffic offence. The trade spokesperson expressed disbelief at the focus on cab drivers.
The LTDA is currently appealing a conviction handed to one of its members for performing a ‘U’ turn, which McNamara believes was unjust. The case could set a legal precedent, reinforcing the association’s ongoing efforts to defend the rights of London’s licensed taxi drivers.
McNamara said: “Earlier in the year, a few police officers, obviously with little else to do, and with a very twisted view of what their priorities should be, spent their time parked in the Aldwych, filming and reporting cabbies who carried out a ‘U’ turn. If you ask me, the videos which were captured on body worn cameras, with audio, are a sad indictment on the Met and indictive of an almost confrontational attitude towards cabbies just trying to earn a living. The very same attitude, which is completely absent, along with any enthusiasm, when it comes to tackling the phone snatchers on electric bikes, who now seem to have been given a free hand to rampage unhindered across the Metropolis.
“In one recent ‘U’ turn case the officer, who had obviously been sat there for some time, can be heard getting incredibly excited, almost hysterical, as they read out a description of the cab and cabbie committing the heinous offence. Again, it’s my view that the video should be seen as an embarrassment to the Met, who surely have bigger and better things they should be deploying their officers to deal with, but alas it will probably wind up as a recruitment video!
“Whilst on the subject of Aldwych ‘U’ turns, we are currently in the process of appealing, via the ‘case stated’ route, a case where a member was convicted, in what we say, was a perverse decision, at a magistrate’s court.
“This case could set a precedent on the situation in the Aldwych and is yet another example of the lengths the LTDA go to defend our members.”
