Complaints About Begging
Request ID: FOI-0003-1920
Date published: 29 April 2019
You asked
I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. In order to assist you with this request, I am outlining my query as specifically as possible.
I would like to receive a chronological list of the complaints which have been made by members of the public in regard to begging taking place on the tube or at tube stations, listed chronologically from 27 May 2018 to 15 September 2018.
I would like the list to include:
1. The date the complaint was made
2. Which station the incident of begging was complained about
3. Details of the complaint
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-0003-1920
Thank you for your request received on 29 March 2019 asking for information about complaints about begging.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we do hold the information you require.
As previously advised, we are continuing to help staff understand the importance of reporting anyone they believe may be vulnerable or in need of support, and have issued guidance to staff to assist with this. Staff have access to information on how to help someone who may be rough sleeping, homeless or vulnerable, while ensuring anyone who behaves in a threatening manner towards customers or staff, or commits a crime, is reported to the police.
Members of the public can help alert the outreach team to anyone needing their help by using the online Streetlink service (www.streetlink.org.uk). The teams will connect people with services, including No Second Night Out which provides three 24-hour assessment hubs, to ensure people get a wide range of help immediately
Following advice from the British Transport Police, we make announcements in some of our stations and on trains about the presence of beggars or unlicensed buskers. We are seeing an increasing presence of people begging across our network and we are encouraging our customers to donate to charity projects and refer rough sleepers to support services via StreetLink, rather than giving directly to beggars.
We are also working with local outreach teams, as well as the Thames Reach team (joint-funded by the Mayor and TfL), to try to ensure vulnerable people receive the help they need. In addition, we are, as usual, working with the British Transport Police to deal with any antisocial behaviour.
Please find the requested information attached, covering the period 27 May 2018 to 15 September 2018.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, please feel free to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob
FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London
[email protected]
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