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Kent cabbies get European funding for CCTV

The GB pound 59,000 grant from the Urban Thames Gateway will be matched pound-for-pound by local police, Gravesham Borough Council and drivers, who will be able to get cameras for around a fifth of their normal cost.

A 20-year-old man has been charged with the murder of taxi driver Gian Chand Bajar, who died after being assaulted and run over in May.

Local council leader Mike Snelling welcomed the funding, and said community safety is the borough’s number one priority.

“Cameras in taxis can not only give drivers more security but also their passengers. It is one among a number of measures we are exploring jointly with the drivers’ representatives.

“It had been an ambition of the council for a long time to help the drivers get CCTV and I am very pleased we have been able to achieve this.”

Local taxi driver Rick Davis, who fitted a camera in his cab some time ago, told the BBC it had already made a difference.

“I had three guys in the car a couple of weeks ago who became very, very abusive,” he said.

“When they realised they were on camera they were out of the car quicker than grease lightning.”

Over 100 taxi operators have registered their interest in the scheme and others from Gravesham and Dartford are invited to attend an event next week to learn more about it.

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