Tuesday, 8 February 2011

So, While All Eyes Were On The Madcap ‘Let’s Take Their iPods!’ Plan…

…as noted by Tim Worstall, the police were overreaching in other areas too:
Taxis in Oxford could have large numbers stuck on their roofs so they can be seen by police and CCTV operators.
What?!? Why?
Police officers said taxis were occasionally used by criminals and large numbers on the roofs would make them easier to track down in a chase.

They pitched the idea at a meeting with representatives from the city taxi trade last week, but were met with a mixed reaction.
As Sad But Mad Lad points out, buses and private cars are occasionally used by criminals. Should they all have numbers on the roof?

I’m concerned the answer might be ‘Yes’, from a certain quarter...

The trade seeks to bat this away with worries about cost and logistics.
Alan Woodward, secretary of the City of Oxford Licensed Taxi Cab Association, said: “Drivers were concerned paint work might start to deteriorate and were concerned it would devalue their cars.

“There needs to be some more investigation done into the type of material that’s going to be used.”

He added the numbers could leave a dull area on the vehicles’ roofs and they would have to be re-sprayed before being sold.

Mr Woodward said drivers were also concerned if numbers went missing or peeled off police might trace the wrong car by mistake.
No, no, no! What you should be raising, Mr Woodward, is the ludicrous nature of the plans and the appalling overreach of the police in demanding this.

Not worrying about the costs.
Det Sgt Linsdell said: “We would like to do it with the co-operation of the trade and with the support of our partners. I have taken the idea to the trade and asked them to consider the issues.

“Personally, I think it would be a good idea. People who commit serious crimes may leave the scene in a taxi or private hire car and this would assist us to trace them at an early stage of the enquiry.”
So would requesting every citizen wear a tracking collar. That doesn’t make it right…
He also said CCTV in the city did not always pick up number plate details.

He said: “I can think of two cases last year that my team dealt with where serious offences took place and taxis were part of the investigation. If we had been able to identify the taxis at an early stage the chances of success would have improved.”
Two cases? Two cases that you don’t even claim would have definitely been solved by this measure?

Get out of here!
Julian Alison, Oxford City Council’s licensing team leader, said: “Oxford City Council’s licensing team is working with the police and local taxi companies to look at taking this forward.

“We are interested in assisting any initiative that will help make Oxford a safer place to visit, work and live in.”
And who cares if it’s window-dressing to provide an easy life for lazy cops, done under the guise of ‘a better service’?

Or if it makes Oxford just that little bit less free?
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7 comments:

  1. WitteringsfromWitney8 February 2011 at 10:51

    And Oxford is considered a "seat of learning"?

    Ye Gods!

    ReplyDelete
  2. MTG8 February 2011 at 10:54

    Superintendent: I don't want to be thought of as a fascist taking control of Oxford, Linseed.

    Det Sgt John Linsdell: Could we sell it as an ACPO pilot scheme?

    Superintendent: Something along that line, Linseed. We can't afford the slightest sniff of a scheme to place extra registration plates on the roofs of all vehicles!

    Det Sgt John Linsdell: I've got it, Super. We could start with just the taxis and claim it was license control.

    Superintendent: This could work, Linseed.
    *muses* Poland today, tomorrow....

    ReplyDelete
  3. Captain Haddock8 February 2011 at 10:57

    Police vehicles, Royal Mail cash-carrying vehicles, Bank "cash in transit" vehicles & those of some operators who specialise in transporting high value or bonded loads already have "identifiers" on their rooves ..

    My guess is that Det Sgt Lindsell is bucking for promotion to Inspector very shortly & badly needs something which will get his name noticed ..

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lynne8 February 2011 at 12:32

    Why would the police want numbers painted on the roof of a private hire cab, aka minicab? Private hire vehicles cannot ply for trade on a hackney stand or be flagged down in the street. You book them in advance.

    Unless, of course, the police are habitually turning a blind eye to illegal practices. Wouldn't surprise me since there are minicabs driven by illegal immigrants and we mustn't upset ethnic minorities, must we...

    ReplyDelete
  5. JuliaM9 February 2011 at 05:37

    "My guess is that Det Sgt Lindsell is bucking for promotion to Inspector very shortly & badly needs something which will get his name noticed .."

    Good point!

    "Why would the police want numbers painted on the roof of a private hire cab, aka minicab? Private hire vehicles cannot ply for trade on a hackney stand or be flagged down in the street. You book them in advance."

    Another good point!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous10 February 2012 at 02:44

    Identifiers are on the roofs of aforementioned vehicles to prevent crime. Identifiers on cab roofs would be there to do the same, since anything further would be comparable to phone tapping. Guess we're all criminals to oppose it. Guess the law are all nazis to suggest it. Go write some shit for the daily mail since you clearly have nothing better to do. This country is already run by "fascists" and they already know where we all live and work. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. JuliaM10 February 2012 at 05:20

    "Identifiers are on the roofs of aforementioned vehicles to prevent crime. Identifiers on cab roofs would be there to do the same..."

    And how far do you go down that route? Do we all have to get tattooed with an ID number 'to prevent crime'?

    "Go write some shit for the daily mail.."

    My imagination won't let me - it always baulks at the stories I'd have to invent... :D

    ReplyDelete