07.06.13
BTP launch crackdown on ticket fraud
British Transport Police (BTP) and the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Safer Transport Command have launched an operation to reduce fraud at Stratford station.
Working with Greater Anglia and TfL, officers checked passenger’s tickets and made 14 arrests. 11 people had counterfeit tickets, one was arrested for travel fraud, one for immigration offences and one for being wanted on warrant for a previous offence.
BTP’s PC Karl Jones said: “Over the past few months, train operating companies have noticed an increase in counterfeit tickets being used across the rail network in the capital.
“In order to tackle this, Revenue Protection Inspectors from Greater Anglia and TfL, supported by BTP and Metropolitan Police officers, were at the station, checking all passengers’ tickets and travel cards.”
Siwan Hayward, acting director of community safety, enforcement and policing, TfL said: “We take all forms of fraud very seriously, the positive results of this operation clearly demonstrate how we are working with our policing partners to tackle fraud across the transport network.
“We take robust action against anyone found using, distributing or manufacturing counterfeit tickets, with our Revenue Protection Inspectors working closely with the MPS, BTP and train operating companies.”
A Greater Anglia spokesperson said: “We are working closely with the police and TfL to reduce fraudulent travel, for the benefit of the vast majority of our customers, who do pay their fares.”
PC Jones added: “We will continue to work closely with rail companies to ensure that those who seek to make financial gain in this way are brought to justice.”
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