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The Independent
2 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Inside the crackdown on London's brazen Tube fare dodgers
In a desperate attempt to avoid the uniformed police guarding the exit to the tube station, a young man without a ticket sprints back down the platform steps. But before he can jump back onto the train, officers circle him and have him restrained against a wall within minutes. A search of his bag reveals he is carrying a lockable knife, and he is swiftly arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon and put in handcuffs. The weapon is placed in an evidence bag, and he is marched through the station and into a waiting police car to be charged and remanded to appear at court the next day. The knife looks small, but officers insist it could do serious damage, and they stress they do not know the man's intentions for travelling with the weapon. It is just one example of more than 480 instances where people carrying a bladed article, such as a knife, have been stopped by British Transport Police (BTP) in the past year. The Independent witnessed several fare-dodging incidents while out on an operation with BTP from Stratford station in east London to Ilford on the Elizabeth line, as part of their crackdown on offenders. The latest figures show almost one in 20 Tube passengers are dodging fares – at a cost of £130m – amid a surge in violence against the staff who try to stop them. Ilford is one of many stations in the capital that has witnessed violence towards staff, with workers telling how they have been hit, spat at and subjected to racial abuse - all in the line of work. This particular station was chosen for the operation because in December 2024, a railway worker died after sustaining a serious head injury after being assaulted. Attacks on Transport for London (TfL) staff are not uncommon. More than 10,490 reports of work-related violence and aggression were made by TfL workers in 2023/24 - a 5 per cent increase on the previous year. About half of these incidents came after they approached fare evaders. 'Frontline staff deal with members of the public on a regular basis, and we know that they do face a disproportionate level on occasions of verbal abuse, and at its worst, that can escalate to physical violence,' Superintendent John Loveless from BTP tells The Independent. 'There's always a sense of fear or concern that you just don't know who you're dealing with, what they've got on their persons, whether that be a knife or something else, or just how they're going to behave and react to you,' he adds. The busy transport hub of Stratford - the fifth busiest station in the UK in 2023/24 - has a huge footfall and before officers even start their operation, they rush off to deal with drunk and disorderly passengers and several instances of anti-social behaviour. As we interview a worker, a group of teenagers are causing disruption by running around and vaping on the platform. When they refuse to cooperate with police, one is physically restrained, pinned to concrete floor of the platform and can be heard yelling as police speak to them. As we move onto the platform, a man guzzling a beer as he carries bag full of more alcohol is stopped for carrying an open container of alcohol - but he escapes a fine. Fare dodging is described as a 'gateway level offence' by officers on the operation, who say that while not all fare evaders are criminals, most criminals will avoid paying. Within 20 minutes of getting off the Elizabeth line train to Ilford, police stop the young man with a knife. Soon after another man approaching the barrier sees police and confesses he does not have his Oyster card with him. He is taken to one side, questioned and handed a £100 fine - the standard rate under TfL rules, which can be reduced if paid within 21 days. Another man who tries to exit the barrier is fined on the spot for using a child's travel card. A group of five women travelling with children in buggies attempt to circle back down the steps onto the platform when they realise police are lining the exit. Their suspicious behaviour is clocked by plain-clothed police officers who stop them for questions. The women, who spoke Romanian, could not speak English fluently, and a member of the station staff steps in to translate. It is soon revealed that they do not have any way to pay for their tickets and they are fined. During the operation, officers issue 47 penalty fares of £100 and conduct seven stop and searches – finding the lock knife and two people in possession of cannabis. Superintendent Loveless says: 'London does have its challenges in terms of weapon-enabled crime, but whilst there might still be that sense of fear and concern do be reassured that it's a really still safe way to travel.' 'We like to use the phrase that 'whilst you may not always see us, it doesn't mean that police are not always there. 'Talking to the knife carriers out there, the risk of you becoming a victim yourself if you are choosing to carry a knife is high. You put yourself and others at significant risk, and ultimately it can result in a life-changing injury or death.' More than 55,000 knife crime offences were recorded in England and Wales in the year to September 2024, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Teenage boy hurt in racially aggravated assault
A teenage boy has been injured in an racially aggravated assault at a London Underground station, police have said. British Transport Police (BTP) were called to Hampstead Tube station on Monday evening, following a report of an assault and robbery. The victim was taken to hospital with minor injuries and was discharged later, BTP said. The force has confirmed it is investigating the incident as racially motivated and has appealed for information. A Jewish security charity, Shomrim neighbourhood watch, posted on social media the day after the incident that "three Jewish boys were threatened with a knife by six or seven suspects". Community Security Trust (CST), a charity with the remit of "protecting British Jews from terrorism and antisemitism", said in a statement: "We are aware of the appalling racist assault on a group of Jewish boys that took place at Hampstead Station on 26 May. "CST is in contact with one of the victims' families and is providing them with support. "CST is also in contact with the British Transport Police and Transport for London as the investigation continues. "We urge anyone who witnessed the incident or has any relevant information to contact the police or CST as soon as possible." Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to British Transport Police
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Revealed: The 'disturbing' messages police officers sent to each other in a WhatsApp group that saw them all sacked
Seven serving and former British Transport Police (BTP) officers have been sacked without notice over 'disturbing' WhatsApp messages that ridiculed women, disabled people, and even joked about hiding dead bodies. The officers - PC James Elliot, PC Michael Lee, PC Steven Leung, PC Robert Whyte, PC Richard Wood, and former PCs Lee Williamson and David Ford - were all members of a WhatsApp chat called 'Team 3 Secret Service', which was discovered during a separate investigation into domestic abuse in October 2023. The messages sent in the group were branded 'shocking' and 'offensive in almost every way possible' by senior police officials. An internal misconduct hearing heard they made jokes about violence against women and girls, mocked victims, and even made references to BTP's own Chief Constable and the 'LGBTQI mafia'. The worst of the messages included a horrifying suggestion to stab a waitress who had an anti-police tattoo, while others made light of sexual violence, serial killing, and physical injuries. One message, referencing a disfigured woman, said: 'Fordy taking his new missus home tonight. This one won't get away.' In one shocking exchange, an officer said: 'I have just noticed the waitress has an ACAB [All Cops Are Bastards] tattoo on her forearm. Do I say nice tattoo or stab her?' Another replied: 'Stab her and throw her in the river.' Another chilling message involved a joke about keeping a woman under the floorboards. One officer wrote: 'Looks like I really am a policeman. You're going under my floorboards later sweetheart.' There were repeated references to sexual violence, including one conversation where officers joked about taking 'condoms and Viagra' on a work trip to Bristol, followed by a message about 'rope and gaffa tape' with the hashtag #MeToo. Another officer sent a picture of a bed surrounded by weapons, horror-themed props and a doll, with the comment: 'Yours got blood on it?' Legal counsel for the Appropriate Authority, Aaron Rathmell, said the group's so-called 'dark humour' was meant to provoke a reaction but risked 'undermining public confidence' in policing. He added that while the messages were written in a private setting, they showed attitudes and behaviour that were wholly incompatible with the standards expected of a police officer - referencing the Angiolini Inquiry into the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving Met officer. 'The deliberately risqué humour was meant for enjoyment and to get a reaction,' Mr Rathmell said. 'But dark humour often rings alarm bells because it is used to excuse unacceptable behaviour.' He said being a police officer is a 'privilege', and that officers' right to privacy is 'fettered' by the police Code of Ethics, even in off-duty group chats. Four supervisors — PS Alexander Bratby, PS Russell Stobbs, and former PS Amed Vafa — were also found to have breached standards by failing to challenge the messages. All were given written warnings, a lesser penalty than dismissal. Other messages shared included: • Jokes about a casualty on train tracks, with one officer writing: 'Was he armless before?' • A reference to 'fisters' in relation to the BTP planning department. • A cruel comment on a victim's severe head wound: 'That's one way to solve dandruff.' • Crude sexual innuendo, such as asking if anyone had 'extra small rib' condoms 'for Dave'. The misconduct hearing was concluded earlier this week, with BTP confirming all seven officers were found guilty of gross misconduct. Five serving officers were dismissed immediately, while the two former officers would also have been sacked had they still been in post. A BTP spokesperson said: 'Four supervisors were also part of the WhatsApp group and answered allegations they breached the standards of professional behaviour by failing to challenge or report the offensive messages sent. In each case this was assessed as misconduct and the serving officers were provided with a written warning.' Assistant Chief Constable Charlie Doyle told MyLondon: 'The contents of this WhatsApp group was wholly unacceptable, with the messages exchanged both shocking and offensive in almost every way possible.' 'Those who have sent these messages have shown complete contempt for the public they serve, the office of constable and the hard-working officers and staff in BTP who come to work every day to make a difference and behave with integrity.' 'Holding a warrant card is a privilege and anyone who thinks it is acceptable to make such comments in the name of supposed 'banter' quite simply has absolutely no place in policing.' 'All officers and staff at BTP are expected to observe the highest standards of conduct and we are absolutely committed to identifying and driving out anyone who falls short of this as we have done in this case.'
STV News
4 days ago
- STV News
Police looking to trace man who could help train assault investigation
A CCTV image has been released after an assault took place onboard a train in Moray. The attack took place on a service between Forres and Elgin at around 7.40pm on March 11. Officers are looking to trace a man they believe will be able to assist with enquiries into the incident. British Transport Police described the man as bald and in his 50s with a medium build. He was wearing a green jacket, dark blue jeans and black trainers and spoke with a southern English accent. A spokesperson for BTP said: 'Anyone who can assist is asked to contact British Transport Police by either calling 0800 40 50 40 or texting 61016. 'Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111. 'Please quote reference number 715 of March 11, 2025.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Daily Record
Picture released after assault onboard Scots train
British Transport Police (BTP) are investigating an assault that took place on board a service between Forres and Elgin on Tuesday, March 11. Transport cops have released an image of a man they wish to speak to regarding an assault probe on a train. British Transport Police (BTP) are investigating an assault that took place on board a service between Forres and Elgin on Tuesday, March 11. Officers have shared a picture of a man, who they say spoke with a southern English accent. The man is described as being in his 50s with a medium build. He was wearing a green jacket, dark blue jeans and black trainers. The Force have asked anyone who can assist to contact them. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. A BTP spokesperson said: "British Transport Police have released images of a man they wish to speak to who may be able to assist enquiries into an assault. "The incident took place on Tuesday 11 March 2025 around 7.40pm, on board a train between Forres and Elgin. "The male (pictured) is described as bald and in his 50s with a medium build. He was wearing a green jacket, dark blue jeans and black trainers and spoke with a Southern English accent. "Anyone who can assist is asked to contact British Transport Police by either calling 0800 40 50 40 or texting 61016. Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111. "Please quote reference number 715 of 11 March 2025."
