Number of PCNs issued by enforcement officers for the past 3 years
Request ID: FOI-2592-2223 Date published: 10 February 2023
You asked
I have searched publications and previous FOI request and do not appear to have found this information so I apologise if it appears elsewhere or has been published.
My understanding is that TfL employs approximately 500 mobile enforcement officers to patrol it's road network (approx. 500 miles of roads in total).
Can you provide details of the total number of PCNs issued by hand by these enforcement officers for the past 3 years (2020, 2021 & 2022) over TfLs entire road network and subsequent revenue received for the three years.
Can you also provide a categorised split for the reason for issuing PCNs for each of the three years stated above and, if possible, list the top 10 roads incurring the most PCNs.
I have seen a report detailing such information for ANPR camera enforcement but not for mobile enforcement officers (traffic wardens).
We answered
Our ref: FOI-2592-2223/GH
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 14 January 2023 asking for information about PCNs issued by enforcement officers.
Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require.
The Transport for London Road Network, the red Routes, are made up of London’s busiest roads. While accounting for just 5% of road space they carry 30% of the city’s traffic. Red routes help reduce congestion and ensure crucial deliveries and journeys can be made safely to keep the city moving.
If you don’t follow the signs and road markings, we may issue you with a Penalty Charge notice (PCN). A penalty is payable at £160, reduced to £80 for payment within 14 days. Penalties can be issued by CCTV or by an On Street Officer. The On Street Officers are employed by the Metropolitan Police, not TfL, but are empowered to issue penalties on our network.
The table below details the number of penalties issued by On Street Officers over the last three full calendar years along with the value of payments we have received toward these penalties.
Year
PCNs issued
Payments received
2020
Parked with one or more wheels on or over a footpath or any part of a road other than a carriageway
12,912
£ 836,923.57
Stopped on a pedestrian crossing or crossing area marked by zigzags
518
£ 33,747.00
Stopped where prohibited (on a red route or clearway)
80,860
£ 5,368,742.03
Total
94,290
£ 6,239,412.60
2021
Parked with one or more wheels on or over a footpath or any part of a road other than a carriageway
17,775
£ 1,129,884.62
Stopped on a pedestrian crossing or crossing area marked by zigzags
588
£ 37,030.00
Stopped where prohibited (on a red route or clearway)
99,732
£ 6,585,739.57
Total
118,095
£ 7,752,654.19
2022
Parked with one or more wheels on or over a footpath or any part of a road other than a carriageway
17,568
£1,274,266.60
Stopped on a pedestrian crossing or crossing area marked by zigzags
665
£47,355.00
Stopped where prohibited (on a red route or clearway)
102,527
£7,486,654.13
Total
120,760
£8,808,275.73
In accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply the list of the top 10 roads incurring the most PCNs, as this information is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 31 of the FOI Act, which relates to law enforcement. Specifically, we are refusing your request under section 31(1)(b), which relates to information whose disclosure would be likely to prejudice the apprehension or prosecution of offenders, and section 31(1)(g), which relates to information whose disclosure would be likely to prejudice the exercise by any public authority of its functions or any of the purpose of ascertaining whether any person has failed to comply with the law.
In this instance the exemption has been applied as disclosure of the information you have requested concerning a specific location would reveal the likelihood of a driver being issued with a fine at that location. The purpose of enforcement is to assist with the safe and smooth flow of traffic on the TfL road network, and TfL has the power to issue PCNs where drivers contravene a range of restrictions on the network. If drivers are aware of how likely (and, by extension, how unlikely) they are to be issued with a PCN, then it would encourage non-compliance with those traffic restrictions in the areas that are not covered or are covered to a lesser extent. Whilst we make no suggestion that you would use this information for anything other than you own personal interest, disclosure of this information to you has to be regarded as a disclosure to ‘the public at large’.
The use of this exemption is subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. We recognise the need for openness and transparency by public authorities, but in this instance feel that balance lies in favour of withholding the information to ensure that drivers in London use the roads in compliance with the relevant restrictions, to ensure the safe and effective operation of the road network. It would be strongly against the public interest to release any information that would undermine this.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
If you are not satisfied with this response please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Graham Hurt FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
