NSW: Faulty camera did not record driver bashing: Watkins

AAP General News (Australia)
12-30-2005
NSW: Faulty camera did not record driver bashing: Watkins

SYDNEY, Dec 30 AAP - The NSW government will ask for a full report into why a security
camera installed on a Sydney bus failed to record a vicious attack on the driver.

The 59-year-old State Transit driver was set upon by up to eight youths in Ashfield,
in Sydney's inner west, on Wednesday night.

He was hit with a metal pole and suffered cuts and bruising to his face and arms after
the youths flagged down the bus on Liverpool Road about 11.35pm (AEDT).

They destroyed the bus' ticketing machine and stole a small sum of money before fleeing.

NSW Transport Minister John Watkins today revealed the bus' CCTV camera failed to record
the incident.

It was reportedly not fitted properly, with a loose connection at the back of the camera.

Mr Watkins said he would seek a full report from the State Transit Authority and contractors
Chubb Security.

"I was very disappointed to learn the camera did not record the incident, and I'll
be asking State Transit why this was the case," Mr Watkins said.

"I've asked for a full report and will be seeking assurances from State Transit and
Chubb that there's no similar problem with other CCTV units in operation on our buses."

Mr Watkins said the unit was last serviced by Chubb just six days before the incident,
and had been checked three other times this month.

He said the state government was committed to improving bus security and driver safety,
with a $7.5 million plan to replace analogue CCTV with digital starting in 2006.

A 15-year-old has been arrested in relation to the incident last night but has not
been charged over the attack.

AAP ajc/cdh/jlw

KEYWORD: DRIVER

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