I am writing to make an open government request for all the information to which I am entitled under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Please send me: 1. Between the days 1st June – 15th June (inclusive), how many times was an announcement made over tube loudspeakers about the presence of beggars and buskers? I would like the above information to be provided to me as electronic copies. If this request is too wide or unclear, I would be grateful if you could contact me as I understand that under the Act, you are required to advise and assist requesters. If any of this information is already in the public domain, please can you direct me to it, with page references and URLs if necessary. If the release of any of this information is prohibited on the grounds of breach of confidence, I ask that you supply me with copies of the confidentiality agreement and remind you that information should not be treated as confidential if such an agreement has not been signed. I understand that you are required to respond to my request within the 20 working days after you receive this letter. I would be grateful if you could confirm in writing that you have received this request.

---

TfL Ref: FOI-0837-1920

Thank you for your email of 23^rd June 2019 asking for information about announcements made on the London Underground.

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

Specifically you asked:

“Between the days 1^st June – 15^th June (inclusive), how many times was an announcement made over tube loudspeakers about the presence of beggars and buskers?”.

TfL does not hold the requested information, as we do not record the number of times different announcements are made on the Underground. However, note that in April 2019 instructions were issued to staff to stop playing messages that referred to begging being illegal or to encouraging beggars by supporting them. These were replaced with: “TfL and the Mayor of London are committed to helping rough sleepers get off the street. You can help too, by donating to charity projects and referring rough sleepers to support services via StreetLink. Search ‘Help London’s Homeless’ to find out more.”

We continually help staff understand the importance of reporting anyone they believe may be vulnerable or in need of support on our transport network, 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

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.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.

Yours sincerely,

David Wells

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

Back to top

---