More than 160 fare evaders have been caught after ticket checking exercises at c2c stations in east London and south Essex.
Revenue Protection Inspectors and security staff from National Express train company c2c, supported by officers from the British Transport Police, have undertaken a series of โshow of forceโ exercises at West Ham, Southend East and Basildon stations. During the exercise 130 people paid penalty fares for not having a valid ticket โ costing at least ยฃ20 โ while a further 31 fare evaders were reported for potential prosecution, which could lead to a fine of up to ยฃ1,000.
c2c Revenue Protection and Security Manager Iain Palmer said: โThe vast majority of c2c passengers pay their way, so fare evaders are simply taking them for a ride. Every day our team are checking tickets on trains across the c2c network, both in uniform and working undercover. If youโre travelling without a ticket you risk a fine and possible prosecution.โ
Inspector Alan Judd from the British Transport Police, based at Southend station, said: โThese joint operations with revenue protection staff are aimed at targeting the minority of travellers that evade paying fares and to reassure the travelling public and c2c staff on both stations and trains. Those committing crime and indulging in anti-social behaviour are often travelling without tickets and we can use these operations to disrupt their activity and gain valuable intelligence.โ
Chief Constable Andy Trotter from the British Transport Police, who joined officers and c2c staff during an exercise at Basildon station last Wednesday, said: โThanks to the hard work from both c2c staff and London North BTP officers, we are seeing a decrease in crime and anti-social behaviour along the Essex Thameside route.โ
