CCTV for cabbies? (From Barry And District News)

CCTV for cabbies?

A BARRY taxi driver who suffered a vicious attack from a female assailant is calling for the Vale of Glamorgan council to install CCTV cameras into all Vale taxis.

Iqbal Miah, of Woodlands Rd, was assaulted in the early hours of March 31 at Jewel Street, Barry, when he picked up a customer in his A to B cab.

He thought it was just another regular fare until his attacker decided not to pay, beat him up and stole his cashbox which contained approximately £40.

During a frenzied attack Iqbal was subjected to racist abuse, his spectacles were smashed and he was kicked in the head and groin by the female attacker.

Kelly Bailey, of Claire Road, Grangetown, Cardiff, was found guilty of robbery at Cardiff Crown Court on June 27, and was sentenced to prison for three-and-a-half years imprisonment.

Since the assault Iqbal, who suffered cuts and bruises and was hospitalised overnight, has stopped working the nightshift and he revealed his family are often anxious if he returns home late from work.

He felt so strongly about the issue of CCTV he came to the Barry and District News last week in the hope that publicising his cause would alert cabbies in the district and maybe prevent them from experiencing the trauma he suffered.

"My family are still worried even now because I could be attacked again," he said.

"But that hasn't stopped me doing the job I love. I have to feed my family and although I had doubts about returning to this particular line of work whilst in hospital, I thought I shouldn't change my job just because of one person."

He strongly thinks his nightmare attack could have been prevented if CCTV had been fitted in his taxi in the first place.

He said: "The council should provide more security against such brutal crimes. I would ask them to put their funds towards CCTV installation in all taxis, to stop what happened to me.

"I have had CCTV in my car for the past three months and the general abusive nature of some customers has dropped considerably."

Iqbal wished to thank those who had alerted the police and everyone else for being so supportive during the last few months.

A Vale of Glamorgan council spokesperson said: "The introduction of CCTV in taxis would be the responsibility of the individual operator although any such moves would need to be approved by the council as the licensing authority."