I entered West Ham Station today, xx of July around xx.xx and went to the Jubilee Line (Eastbound platform) in order to catch a train. I sat briefly on the bench and accidentally left my wallet there. I realised that I had left it as soon as the train was in motion and I had no alternative but to stay on the train and get to the next station (Stratford) where I immediately turned around and boarded a Westbound train. 5/10 minutes went by and as soon as I got to West Ham the wallet was gone. I went to speak to a member of staff and was told to check the bench again or alternatively check Stratford station as someone could have taken it and left it there with staff. I went back to Stratford station where I was told to submit a lost property ticket with TfL online which I did. I would like to request to have access to CCTV footage of the incident that took place between xx.xx and xx.xx at West Ham Station as I am sure that it would be possible to identify whomever stole my wallet. In the case I'm not allowed to check CCTV, I would request that a member of your staff checks it and provides me with much needed details. Your staff at West Ham Station were little to no help in this matter.

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TfL Ref: FOI-0594-2021

Thank you for your request of 12^th July 2020 asking for CCTV footage from West Ham station.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act ad our information access policy. 

I was sorry to hear of the loss / potential theft of your wallet. I am afraid that under section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act we are unable to release information that would allow a third party to be identified and where such identification would be unfair. In this instance we believe that any third party captured on CCTV would be able to be identified. Note that release of information under the FOI Act is considered to be release to the world at large rather than to the individual applicant, and therefore the potential for identification is considered on that basis. We also believe that release of such footage would be unfair, given the suggestion that a crime may have been committed.

Further to the above, I have discussed the matter with our London Underground CCTV Data Manager. He informs me that it is not TfL practice for staff to review footage where a potential crime may have been committed. Rather, this would be a matter for the police. Therefore, if your wallet has not been handed in to lost property (I note that you have contacted the Lost Property Office separately), then I suggest you report the loss to the police who will be able to investigate the matter further.

On a more general matter, please note that the impact of current circumstances on TfL’s resources means we are not able to answer FOI requests readily and we ask that you please do not make a request to us at present.

Answering FOI requests will require the use of limited resources and the attention of staff who could be supporting other essential activity. In any event, please note that our response time will be affected by the current situation.

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

Yours sincerely,

David Wells

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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