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Marshals that control queues for taxis will now be equipped with cameras to record any verbal or physical assaults.

The cameras will be on marshals that cover Cheltenham’s busy Promenade taxi rank, where it’s estimated an average of 1,500 people use, as they patrol between 11pm and 4am on Friday and Saturday nights.

A statement released by Cheltenham Borough Council says: “Their use is intended to support the work of the marshals by demonstrating to the public that their actions could be recorded, leading to fewer assaults on marshals, taxi drivers and members of the public.”

Cheltenham’s Promenade was the location of the incident involving a 28-year-old man who was assaulted on 30 December. Cheltenham Borough Council believes the new technology will help track down any suspects quicker in cases like this one.

Colin Pilsworth, the council’s community protection officer said: “The marshals have a tough job and can be exposed to unacceptable behaviour. The cameras will offer increased protection and hopefully drive down instances of anti-social behaviour.”

Marshals will be permitted to warn abusive pedestrians they are being filmed, which Carney Bonner, an ambassador for FixersUK, thinks is an added incentive:

“I think this is a great introduction, when I moved to Cheltenham, myself and a friend were attacked after a night out. The use of CCTV adds that extra security level to help keep students safe.”

The cameras, which have been purchased by Cheltenham Nightsafe, work by recording a mix of high-resolution video and audio and will supplement the radio link the marshals already have with the police.

Curtis Goff