Taxis and private hire cars in and around Glenrothes have been fitted with in-car CCTV cameras to help keep passengers and drivers safe.
The move has been approved following a successful joint pilot scheme with Police Scotland in other parts of Fife, with councillors on the region’s Glenrothes area committee deciding to use local community planning budgets to fund cameras on their patch.
A trial of the cameras in Dunfermline earlier this year showed a reduction in crime associated with the trade, while Fife Council also received positive feedback from the travelling public.
Councillor Fiona Grant, chairman of the Glenrothes area committee, said work on installing the cameras in participating vehicles began earlier this month and added: “We’re pleased to support this initiative as it’ll provide security for both taxi drivers and customers.
“We can already see from other parts of Fife that CCTV in taxis successfully deters crime.”
During the pilot in Dunfermline, a total of 43 crimes associated with taxis were reported but only three involved taxis fitted with CCTV, demonstrating that cameras are an effective deterrent.
PC Graeme Walker, Police Scotland’s safer travel liaison officer, said he was delighted to see the cameras used in taxis and private hire vehicles in Glenrothes.
He added: “Police Scotland fully support the installation of CCTV cameras within taxis operating in the Fife area.
“Both Fife Council and Police Scotland promote taxis and private hire cars as a safe mode of transport and this initiative will further increase security and provide reassurance.”