TfL Ref: FOI-2085-2425

Thank you for your request which we received on 25 September 2024, asking for information about fare evasion at Paddington station.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and our information access policy. 

We take fare evasion extremely seriously and our team of 450 revenue inspectors operate across our network day and night, using new technology and intelligence to identify anyone travelling without a ticket. Through continued partnership working with the police and intelligence gathering we will push for the toughest penalties for anyone caught fare evading on our services. Fare evasion takes away vital revenue for us to reinvest into our transport network to keep London moving.
 
The penalty fare is one of several tools available to minimise this revenue loss and deter individuals from committing fare evasion. Penalty Fare Notices are issued in lieu of initiating a criminal prosecution following fare evasion, in circumstances where the offender is considered not to have deliberately set out to avoid the fare due. Fare evasion is a criminal offence that could lead to a fine of up to £1,000 and a criminal record.

However, in accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to provide you with the requested information as this is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 31(1)(b) and Section 31(1)(g), which exempt from disclosure information which would, or would be likely to prejudice the apprehension or prosecution of offenders or the exercise of functions for the purpose of ascertaining whether any person has failed to comply with the law.

In this instance the exemption has been applied as disclosure of the information you have requested would reveal details of our enforcement processes and fare evasion prevention measures. Disclosing such information would be of value to fare evaders and therefore adversely affect our inspection activity and impact on our duties under Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act. Whilst we make no suggestion that this is the purpose of your request, when considering FOI requests we must consider disclosure to be to the world at large.

The use of this exemption is subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. We recognise the need for openness and transparency by public authorities, but in this instance feel that balance lies in favour of withholding the information to ensure that we are able to effectively carry out our inspection activity and to continue to discourage fare evaders from using our network.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

Yours sincerely

Eva Hextall 

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London