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Commuters feel long arm of the law for fare evasion

By Lewis Rudd
June 04, 2008

'Mostly professional' commuters were fined a total of £1,500 for fare evasion during a police crackdown at Wokingham train station.

British Transport Police officers caught 64 people without a valid ticket during the four-hour crackdown at the town's railway station in Station Road on Friday afternoon.

They also arrested two commuters because they had no means of paying for their ticket and for being abusive, and another person for possession of a Class A drug.

Inspector Alan Wither, who led the operation, said: “It has to be noted this practice is mostly committed by professional people, who are more than able to pay for a ticket.

“There are no ticket barriers at Wokingham and periodically revenue staff will block the station to check tickets."

Officers created a human barrier at the station's entrances to check people had paid to travel during the operation, which took place between 4pm and 8.30pm.

- Full story in today's Wokingham Times.

- Are tougher punishment needed for people caught evading train fares? Or are train fares too expensive anyway? Click here to get the debate going.

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They could have put the money this wasted towards providing a reliable service, ensuring they have enough rolling stock and drivers turned up for work. People should not think that they can get away without paying but this approach was OTT, I saw it first hand.

I'm sure that the overtime bill and sniffer dog would have cost more than £1500. Surely the Police have other things to do on a Friday evening. There was a ticket inspector on the train before we arrived in Wokingham !!