I WAS bemused by the protest by taxi drivers outside Oxford Town Hall regarding the installation of CCTV in taxis (Tuesday’s Oxford Mail).

Not that many years ago, I drove Hackney carriages in Oxford and judging by the many problems encountered by drivers at that time, I am surprised it has taken this long for CCTV to be proposed.

I am even more surprised that such a small section of the taxi community, about 25 of the 1,000 presently licensed should have such a bee in their bonnet about the protection that this system will provide.

What are they so worried about that they have to hide? Is it there own actions that they are afraid of being recorded, such as the way they speak to customers or, more commonly, having no idea of the route. Why do so many rely on sat-navs to direct them?

As taxi users, I look forward to the day when myself, family and taxi driver can travel in safety, Remember poor Lenny Gomm, who was murdered by a passenger he picked up in George Street, Oxford, nearly 20 years ago.

Had CCTV been available then, poor Lenny might still be alive today. Buses have been fitted with CCTV for many years and I have heard no arguments from any of their drivers.

To the taxi drivers that can see the benefits from this system, my advice would be wait for those against the system to go on strike, get in your cabs and work those days. You will cover the installation cost with the extra work the strikers will hand you.

DAVID CRABB, St Leonards Road, Headington, Oxford