• Greg Whiffen, 53, an independent driver, said: “The council sponsored a lot of taxis a few years ago, but I don’t think it made a difference. If it’s a safety precaution, then I think it is worth paying £15 a month. I’ve driven taxis with a camera before and I know that some passengers didn’t like it being there.”

• Paul Caulfield, 44, an independent driver, said: “I think that it’s a fantastic idea. Having the CCTV would make it feel safer for the drivers and the passengers, and particularly for single females. Heaven forbid that it does, but if something did happen, at least that safety element is there.”

• Ray Davies 64, from Streamline Warrens Taxis, has been doing the job for 33 years. He said: “I think it is a good idea to have CCTV, although if it became obligatory, then I don’t believe that we should have to pay for it. Some passengers could say that it’s an infringement of their rights.”