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FOI request detail

Filming on TFL

Request ID: FOI-1727-2122
Date published: 19 November 2021

You asked

a. How many filming permit applications are denied by TFL each year? b. For what reasons are these applications denied? c. How many letters regarding unauthorised filming on TFL public transport were sent out between the years of 2011 and 2021? d. What, if any, penalties were administered for filming which did not comply with TFL regulations? e. How much annual revenue was generated for TFL through authorised filming between the years of 2011 and 2021?

We answered

TfL Ref: FOI-1727-2122
 
Thank you again for your request received by us on 5 November 2021 asking for information about filming on TfL’s network.
 
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.  I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require. You asked:
 
  1. How many filming permits were denied each year between 2011 and 2021?
 
We do not hold this data going back 10 years. We could only provide this for the last year.

b.  For what reasons are these applications denied?
In accordance with our regulations, the following activities are not allowed to be filmed or photographed:
Vandalism or graffiti
Assaults on passengers or staff
Suicides
Fare evasion or ticket touting
Use of firearms or weapons
Drinking or carrying open containers of alcohol
Misuse of escalators or LU property
Unlicensed busking
Begging
Smoking or the use of illegal drugs
Behaving in an overtly sexual or indecent manner (including nudity)
Direct threats (including terrorist) to LU, its staff or passengers
Anything that may negatively affect the interests of the site owner
We can also refuse permit applications which include activities which breach or contradict TfL regulations and marketing campaigns.
  1. How many letters regarding unauthorised filming on TFL public transport were sent out to members of the public between the years of 2011 and 2021?
 
We only started proactively investigating unauthorised filming in the last 3-4 years, though before that we investigated instances where filming occurred on our network for commercial use without a permit when they were brought to our attention. Unfortunately we don’t hold details of the number of letters issued going back to 2011. In the last 3-4 years we have investigated and recouped filming fees from seven unauthorised filming activities.
 
  1. What, if any, penalties were administered for filming which did not comply with TFL regulations?
 
No penalties were administered for not complying with TfL filming regulations as anyone with a filming license who does not comply with these are asked to leave the premises and their license is revoked.
 
  1. How much annual revenue was generated for TFL through authorised filming between the years of 2011 and 2021?
 
2011/12 - £ 418,337.53
2012/13 - £ 391,533.67
2013/14 - £ £ 424,928.70
2014/15 – £ 315,094.00
2015/16 – £388,489.34
2016/17 - £ £434,971.00
2017/18 - £414,283.00
2018/19 – £804,318.11
2019/20 – £758,836.62
2020/21 - £94,520.00
2021–22 -  to date - £324,654.84
 
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
 
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
 
Eva Hextall
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London
 

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