TfL Ref: FOI-2686-2425
Thank you for your request which we received on 20 November 2024, asking for information about fare evasion incidents at Crystal Palace station.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and our information access policy.
We take fare evasion extremely seriously and our team of 450 revenue inspectors operate across our network day and night, using new technology and intelligence to identify anyone travelling without a valid ticket. We push for the toughest penalties for anyone caught fare evading on our services. Fare evasion takes away vital revenue from us investing more in our transport network to keep London moving. Efforts to tackle fare evasion have been helped by changes to the way we manage our stations, with more staff visible in and around stations including on gate lines and changes to our ticketing system.
In accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to provide you with the requested information as this is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 31(1)(b) and Section 31(1)(g), which exempt from disclosure information which would, or would be likely to prejudice the apprehension or prosecution of offenders or the exercise of functions for 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 would reveal details of our enforcement processes and activity. Disclosing such information would be of value to fare evaders and therefore adversely affect our inspection activity and impact on our duties under Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act. While we make no suggestion that this is the purpose of your request, when considering FOI requests we must consider disclosure to be to the world 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 we are able to effectively carry out our inspection activity and to continue to discourage fare evaders from using our network.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Eva Hextall
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London
