Hi, I'd like to know the number of oyster-cards stopped for being fraudulent in the past five years, and number of fines issued for fraudulent oyster-card use. If possible, I'd like to know the number of 60+ discounted oyster-cards stopped, and number stopped for fraudulent 11-15, and 16-17 oyster-cards in the past five years, and number of prosecutions sought for these offences. However, if this breakdown isn't possible, please could you still give me the data for total oyster-cards stopped and fines issued, and total money brought in from fines for fraudulent oystercards in the past five years, with a breakdown by year.

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TfL Ref: 2899-1920 

 Thank you for your email received by us on 27 December 2019 asking for information about fraudulent Oyster card usage. 

 Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information (FOI) and our information access policy. You asked for: 

 the number of oyster-cards stopped for being fraudulent in the past five years, and number of fines issued for fraudulent oyster-card use.  

 If possible, I'd like to know the number of 60+ discounted oyster-cards stopped, and number stopped for fraudulent 11-15, and 16-17 oyster-cards in the past five years, and number of prosecutions sought for these offences.  

 However, if this breakdown isn't possible, please could you still give me the data for total oyster-cards stopped and fines issued, and total money brought in from fines for fraudulent oystercards in the past five years, with a breakdown by year. 

 Unfortunately we do not hold this information in the format you have requested as our recording systems do not distinguish between the various different ticketing types available for both prosecutions and penalty fares implemented. We can provide an annual figure for the amount of penalty fare issues but this will be inclusive of all fare evasion cases and you may find this information at the following link: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/transparency/freedom-of-information/foi-request-detail?referenceId=FOI-3078-1819

Therefore to provide the specific information you have requested would considerably exceed the ‘appropriate limit’ of £450 set by the Freedom of Information (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2004. This is because we would need to review each individual case and extract the required data into a format suitable for public disclosure for the purposes of your request. 

 Under section 12 of the FOI Act, we are not obliged to comply with a request if we estimate that the cost of determining whether we hold the information, locating and retrieving it and extracting it from other information would exceed the appropriate limit. This is calculated at £25 per hour for every hour spent on the activities described.  

 To help bring the cost of responding to your request within the £450 limit, you may wish to consider narrowing its scope so that we can more easily locate, retrieve and extract the information you are seeking. If you want to refine your request or make a Freedom of Information Act request in future, please bear in mind that the Freedom of Information Act allows you to request recorded information held by us. You should identify the information that you want as clearly and concisely as you can, specifying the types of document that you are looking for. You might also consider limiting your request to a particular period of time, geographical area or specific departments of the organisation. 

 Although your request can take the form of a question, rather than a request for specific documents, we do not have to answer your question if it would require the creation of new information or the provision of a judgement, explanation, advice or opinion that was not already recorded at the time of your request.  

Please note that we will not be taking further action until we receive your revised request.  

 In the meantime, if you have any queries or would like to discuss your request, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

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

 Yours sincerely 

  Jasmine Howard 

FOI Case Officer 

Information Governance 

Transport For London 

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