An initiative aimed at quelling possible trouble at a flashpoint in the centre of Perth begins on Saturday.
The scheme will see taxi rank marshals help revellers and taxi drivers over the next six months. Co-ordinated by the safer cities manager in partnership with the Community Safety Partnership, Tayside Police and the Perth Taxi Owners and Drivers Association, the project will help ensure the safety of taxi drivers and the public in central Perth.
It will see two marshals at the taxi rank in Murray Street during busy periods and is funded by Perth and Kinross Community Safety Partnership and the Perth Common Good Fund. It will run between 10.30pm on Saturdays and 3.30am on Sundays from this Saturday through to November 5 on the two Saturday nights per month that are busiest due to salary payments.
Community Safety Partnership convener Councillor Willie Robertson said, “The marshals will assist with smooth queuing and ensure that customers use taxis properly. This includes the refusal of entry to any customer eating, drinking, smoking or being abusive or violent. Customers must also have the full fare prior to entering the taxi.
“Marshals will be in radio contact with licensed premises, police and CCTV operator personnel and they will wear fluorescent jackets for easy identification. Highly visible police officers will also be in the vicinity of the taxi rank and CCTV cameras will provide excellent coverage of the area.
“It is hoped that more taxis will service the rank during the period of the scheme. This will lead to less queuing time for customers.
“The scheme should help ensure that people enjoying facilities in the city centre have a good night out and get home safely.”