Plans for CCTV and panic buttons in town's taxis

CCTV and panic buttons could be coming to licensed Hackney carriages and private hire vehicles in part of West Sussex.

Crawley Borough Council has opened a public consultation on proposed safety upgrades for taxis to improve passenger and driver security.

Taxi identification signage is also under review to ensure clearer visibility and compliance.

The consultation runs until 11 August and invites input from residents, drivers and statutory bodies.

The proposed changes aim to align Crawley's licensing framework with national best practices and statutory guidance, while addressing local concerns around safety.

Under the new measures, all licensed vehicles would be required to install CCTV systems capable of audio and visual recording.

Panic buttons for both drivers and passengers would trigger recording in the event of an incident, offering an added layer of protection.

Councillor Yasmin Khan, cabinet member for public protection, said: "Public safety is at the heart of our licensing regime.

"We want everyone – whether they're a passenger, driver, or operator – to feel confident and secure when using or working in our licensed vehicles.

"This consultation is an important step in ensuring our policies support public safety and reflect the needs of our community."

The council is encouraging everyone to take part in the consultation.

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