Govia witness statement - not guilty

[appletree]

Hi,

I took the thameslink from Luton to Luton Airport Parkway today, it is just one stop away and about 2 minutes journey.

I purchased an off-peak single ticket at about 10am, as I wasn’t sure what train I was going to get. I ended up getting the 15:43 train.

I scanned my ticket at the Luton barriers at around 15:40, and it let me through. I then went onto the platform and onto the train. When I got off at Luton Airport Parkway, the barriers were closed and each ticket had to be scanned by the staff.

When they scanned my ticket, it said I hadn’t scanned it yet. They then gave me a witness statement, and said they will check the CCTV.

I know I scanned my ticket, and I’m sure the CCTV will show this, but I am worried as this is the first time this has happened to me. I do have proof that I boarded at Luton station - I was volunteering near the station until about 10 minutes before the train, making it impossible for me to have boarded the train I did at any station before Luton, and Trainline itself says I have scanned my ticket (I pressed the refund button to check if it had scanned, as you can’t refund tickets if you scanned them, and it said the ticket could not be refunded because it was scanned).

If they see me scanning my ticket at Luton on the CCTV, will they send me a letter saying I am not guilty, or will they just say nothing?

Sorry, I’m very nervous about this after seeing it could result in a criminal charge online. I know I am innocent and that I scanned my ticket at the correct station, even the staff giving me the witness statement agreed, but I am worried that the railway company will still persecute me regardless. I’m particularly worried that they won’t see me in the CCTV, or will try to pretend they didn’t.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[6Gman]

Hi,

I took the thameslink from Luton to Luton Airport Parkway today, it is just one stop away and about 2 minutes journey.

I purchased an off-peak single ticket at about 10am, as I wasn’t sure what train I was going to get. I ended up getting the 15:43 train.

I scanned my ticket at the Luton barriers at around 15:40, and it let me through. I then went onto the platform and onto the train. When I got off at Luton Airport Parkway, the barriers were closed and each ticket had to be scanned by the staff.

When they scanned my ticket, it said I hadn’t scanned it yet. They then gave me a witness statement, and said they will check the CCTV.

I know I scanned my ticket, and I’m sure the CCTV will show this, but I am worried as this is the first time this has happened to me. I do have proof that I boarded at Luton station - I was volunteering near the station until about 10 minutes before the train, making it impossible for me to have boarded the train I did at any station before Luton, and Trainline itself says I have scanned my ticket (I pressed the refund button to check if it had scanned, as you can’t refund tickets if you scanned them, and it said the ticket could not be refunded because it was scanned).

If they see me scanning my ticket at Luton on the CCTV, will they send me a letter saying I am not guilty, or will they just say nothing?

Sorry, I’m very nervous about this after seeing it could result in a criminal charge online. I know I am innocent and that I scanned my ticket at the correct station, even the staff giving me the witness statement agreed, but I am worried that the railway company will still persecute me regardless. I’m particularly worried that they won’t see me in the CCTV, or will try to pretend they didn’t.

Any advice would be appreciated.

You should be able to request access to the relevant CCTV footage.

 

[AlterEgo]

Hi,

I took the thameslink from Luton to Luton Airport Parkway today, it is just one stop away and about 2 minutes journey.

I purchased an off-peak single ticket at about 10am, as I wasn’t sure what train I was going to get. I ended up getting the 15:43 train.

I scanned my ticket at the Luton barriers at around 15:40, and it let me through. I then went onto the platform and onto the train. When I got off at Luton Airport Parkway, the barriers were closed and each ticket had to be scanned by the staff.

When they scanned my ticket, it said I hadn’t scanned it yet. They then gave me a witness statement, and said they will check the CCTV.

I know I scanned my ticket, and I’m sure the CCTV will show this, but I am worried as this is the first time this has happened to me. I do have proof that I boarded at Luton station - I was volunteering near the station until about 10 minutes before the train, making it impossible for me to have boarded the train I did at any station before Luton, and Trainline itself says I have scanned my ticket (I pressed the refund button to check if it had scanned, as you can’t refund tickets if you scanned them, and it said the ticket could not be refunded because it was scanned).

If they see me scanning my ticket at Luton on the CCTV, will they send me a letter saying I am not guilty, or will they just say nothing?

Sorry, I’m very nervous about this after seeing it could result in a criminal charge online. I know I am innocent and that I scanned my ticket at the correct station, even the staff giving me the witness statement agreed, but I am worried that the railway company will still persecute me regardless. I’m particularly worried that they won’t see me in the CCTV, or will try to pretend they didn’t.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Where did they allege you got on the train? What evidence do they have you didn't board at Luton? When you say "the staff giving me the witness statement agreed" - agreed with what, exactly?

 

[John R]

Re the refund request, surely the scan at Luton Airport Parkway means it would fail the test?

 

[WesternLancer]

One problem is despite what the staff told you the back office won’t bother checking cctv. If they do anything they will probably just send you the standard threatening letter in 4 plus weeks time. By which time the cctv will have been deleted.

So if you want anyone to check cctv you should request a copy of it for your self now imho. Using whatever access request process they require.

 

[appletree]

Where did they allege you got on the train? What evidence do they have you didn't board at Luton? When you say "the staff giving me the witness statement agreed" - agreed with what, exactly?

They didn’t mention where they thought I got on the train, and they also didn’t give any evidence that I didn’t board at Luton besides their machine stating my ticket was not scanned before. In terms of what the staff agreed to, they were saying things along the lines of that I was probably telling the truth, but as the device said the ticket did not scan they had to do this.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Sep 2025 ==

Re the refund request, surely the scan at Luton Airport Parkway means it would fail the test?

I didn’t scan the ticket at Luton Airport Parkway, the barriers were all blocked and so the staff scanned each persons ticket and then opened the gate individually - I only scanned the ticket at Luton.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Sep 2025 ==

One problem is despite what the staff told you the back office won’t bother checking cctv. If they do anything they will probably just send you the standard threatening letter in 4 plus weeks time. By which time the cctv will have been deleted.

So if you want anyone to check cctv you should request a copy of it for your self now imho. Using whatever access request process they require.

Thank you, I’ll try to do this soon. I’ve been looking online but I’m struggling to find out how to request a subject access form (?) from the train station.

 

[John R]

But whether it was scanned at a gateline, or by a hand held device, it will still register as scanned, and thus disallow a refund. (All I’m trying to say is that your “evidence” doesn’t prove that it was scanned at Luton.)

 

[appletree]

But whether it was scanned at a gateline, or by a hand held device, it will still register as scanned, and thus disallow a refund. (All I’m trying to say is that your “evidence” doesn’t prove that it was scanned at Luton.)

Ah that’s a good point, I didn’t think of that. I was more thinking that it proved that I did scan my ticket when they said I didn’t. Thank you!

 

[Bletchleyite]

It's a bit bizarre to write someone up just for a missing scan, as there are many reasons why a scan might not work or staff might just let someone through. Ask a few questions to ascertain if it's likely a short fare, sure, but go straight to a witness statement seems rather wide of the mark.

Do you have any evidence that you did in fact board at Luton, e.g. a receipt for a purchase of some sort in Luton shortly before the time you travelled?

 

[appletree]

It's a bit bizarre to write someone up just for a missing scan, as there are many reasons why a scan might not work or staff might just let someone through. Ask a few questions to ascertain if it's likely a short fare, sure, but go straight to a witness statement seems rather wide of the mark.

Do you have any evidence that you did in fact board at Luton, e.g. a receipt for a purchase of some sort in Luton shortly before the time you travelled?

I do feel as if the staff used it as a training moment - the staff member who filled out the witness statement form was new and was being walked through each part and what to do.

I do have some proof, where I volunteer we have a rota which is filled with the time we arrived and left, I left at around 15:30 - making it physically impossible for me to travel to any station before Luton to get on the train I did (15:43 train, but I boarded at 15:41). However if they wanted to suggest that I got a later train I’m not sure what evidence to provide for that, besides hopefully getting the CCTV footage.

 

[Tetchytyke]

I assume this is an e-ticket rather than a smart card.

If so, it seems that yet again GTR are making their own rules up about tickets only being valid if they are scanned. They seem to be doing this a lot. It is a complete nonsense. There is no obligation to scan a ticket at all (although obviously in some cases you won’t get through the barrier without scanning the ticket).

GTR’s RPIs seem to have fallen into the habit of treating e-tickets in the same way as smartcards, and expecting e-tickets to be scanned before travel. This is also nonsense.

You’ll have to wait for the inevitable email from GTR I’m afraid, then come back for advice. Keep evidence of you working in Luton. Keep evidence to show you purchased the ticket before boarding the train in Luton.

I don’t see the point of asking for CCTV at Luton, it’s unlikely to assist you, though it would cost them money to obtain it for you so there is entertainment in the nuisance value.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I think this and other recent cases do point to one thing - if you're going to do a one-stop journey that might look a bit like a short fare, always purchase the ticket from the TVM or booking office at the station rather than on your phone, and purchase it immediately before travel, as that way you have irrefutable evidence that you actually did board there.

This really shouldn't be necessary, but I'm increasingly of the view that it is.

 

[WesternLancer]

They didn’t mention where they thought I got on the train, and they also didn’t give any evidence that I didn’t board at Luton besides their machine stating my ticket was not scanned before. In terms of what the staff agreed to, they were saying things along the lines of that I was probably telling the truth, but as the device said the ticket did not scan they had to do this.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Sep 2025 ==


I didn’t scan the ticket at Luton Airport Parkway, the barriers were all blocked and so the staff scanned each persons ticket and then opened the gate individually - I only scanned the ticket at Luton.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Sep 2025 ==


Thank you, I’ll try to do this soon. I’ve been looking online but I’m struggling to find out how to request a subject access form (?) from the train station.

CCTV see this page. Someday down there is a form and an e mail address

https://www.thameslinkrailway.com/terms-of-use/privacy-policy

Plus a postal address of the data controller higher up. You need to look through a lot of stuff on the page. Not suited to looking on a phone imho.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Sep 2025 ==

I do feel as if the staff used it as a training moment - the staff member who filled out the witness statement form was new and was being walked through each part and what to do.

I do have some proof, where I volunteer we have a rota which is filled with the time we arrived and left, I left at around 15:30 - making it physically impossible for me to travel to any station before Luton to get on the train I did (15:43 train, but I boarded at 15:41). However if they wanted to suggest that I got a later train I’m not sure what evidence to provide for that, besides hopefully getting the CCTV footage.

Scan and save a copy of that Rota. Get the manager of the place you volunteer at to endorse it preferably on some sort of headed paper.

 

[Haywain]

You need to be aware that very few people make that journey by train as the bus is much more frequent and more likely to take people to and from the places they are actually going. Therefore, from a staff perspective, most of the tickets they see between those stations are actually used by fare dodgers - we have seen quite a few such cases here. If you are genuinely making that journey, evidence of where you are going at both ends will be useful. If you are doing it regularly you should look at getting a bus season which is likely to be much cheaper.

 

[Tetchytyke]

This really shouldn't be necessary, but I'm increasingly of the view that it is.

It’s getting that way with most e-tickets to be honest, GTR are the worst for it but we see it countless times where RPIs treat scans as a form of compostage.

I can, in fairness, understand why the specific circumstances here would have aroused their suspicions.

 

[saismee]

There is a huge number of reasons that an e-ticket may not be scanned along a journey. Staff meal breaks are likely the most common cause, and there's no rule stipulating that you must scan your ticket when the barriers are open. In fact, the station I am sitting in right now has the barriers open for a staff meal break, and people are walking right through (except people with smart cards). RPIs should absolutely not be using a scan as proof of travel.

 

[30907]

Scan and save a copy of that Rota. Get the manager of the place you volunteer at to endorse it preferably on some sort of headed paper.

If you sign in and out (which I hope you do) then that evidence will be even better.

 

[guilbert]

The KeyGo data often takes several says to show in the customer portal so I wouldn't be surprised if scan data doesn't synchronise instantly either.

I think it's likely you won't hear anything else, in case you do, was there anyone else at the volunteering that would act as a witness if necessary? Whilst it would be for GTR to prove you got on the train before Luton, having a solid alibi would make them go away quicker.

 

[appletree]

The KeyGo data often takes several says to show in the customer portal so I wouldn't be surprised if scan data doesn't synchronise instantly either.

I think it's likely you won't hear anything else, in case you do, was there anyone else at the volunteering that would act as a witness if necessary? Whilst it would be for GTR to prove you got on the train before Luton, having a solid alibi would make them go away quicker.

Yes, there are quite a few witnesses, I’ll get the manager to give a signed copy of the rota when I volunteer next week

 

[appletree]

Hi all! I received the dreaded letter today. Here is the letter:


== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Dec 2025 ==

And this is my draft letter so far, any feedback would be appreciated!

Dear Fare Evasion Manager,

I am writing to you regarding the Notice of Intention to Prosecute, Reference ***.

On the 3rd of September 2025, I purchased an off-peak Thameslink ticket at 10:08am, travelling between Luton Station to Luton Airport Parkway. When I bought the ticket, I was volunteering at *** – a 10-minute walk from Luton Station. I purchased an off-peak ticket as I was not sure what time I would finish volunteering to catch the train.

I left *** at 15:30, walked to Luton Station, scanned my ticket at the barriers, and boarded the 15:43 Thameslink train, which arrived at the platform at 15:41. Upon arrival at Luton Airport Parkway, the fare evasion officer scanned my ticket, told me I did not scan it at Luton Station, and gave me a witness statement.

In the time waiting for this letter, I have procured evidence to prove I purchased a valid ticket and travelled according to it:

• Image A – a still image of the CCTV footage of me at Luton Station walking through the barriers. If you would like the video footage of me scanning my ticket, please email me at *** and I will send it promptly.
• Image B – a copy of the rota from ***, proving I left the *** at 15:30. The Chief Executive has given permission for me to give her contact details if you would like to speak to her directly, her email is ***.
• Image C – a screenshot of my train ticket, proving time of purchase.

I hope this is enough to prove I travelled with a valid ticket, and I hope we can come to an amicable solution as soon as possible.

Kind regards,

 

[Fawkes Cat]

Hi all! I received the dreaded letter today. Here is the letter:
View attachment 194968View attachment 194969

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Dec 2025 ==

And this is my draft letter so far, any feedback would be appreciated!

Dear Fare Evasion Manager,

I am writing to you regarding the Notice of Intention to Prosecute, Reference ***.

On the 3rd of September 2025, I purchased an off-peak Thameslink ticket at 10:08am, travelling between Luton Station to Luton Airport Parkway. When I bought the ticket, I was volunteering at *** – a 10-minute walk from Luton Station. I purchased an off-peak ticket as I was not sure what time I would finish volunteering to catch the train.

I left *** at 15:30, walked to Luton Station, scanned my ticket at the barriers, and boarded the 15:43 Thameslink train, which arrived at the platform at 15:41. Upon arrival at Luton Airport Parkway, the fare evasion officer scanned my ticket, told me I did not scan it at Luton Station, and gave me a witness statement.

In the time waiting for this letter, I have procured evidence to prove I purchased a valid ticket and travelled according to it:

• Image A – a still image of the CCTV footage of me at Luton Station walking through the barriers. If you would like the video footage of me scanning my ticket, please email me at *** and I will send it promptly.
• Image B – a copy of the rota from ***, proving I left the *** at 15:30. The Chief Executive has given permission for me to give her contact details if you would like to speak to her directly, her email is ***.
• Image C – a screenshot of my train ticket, proving time of purchase.

I hope this is enough to prove I travelled with a valid ticket, and I hope we can come to an amicable solution as soon as possible.

Kind regards,

Picking up on a point made above:

If you are genuinely making that journey, evidence of where you are going at both ends will be useful.

If you are able to explain to the railway why you were going to Luton Airport Parkway, that would add further credibility to your account. (N.B. I appreciate that you may not want to put too much about your private life on this forum - so this may be one to think about for the letter rather than for here.)

 

[appletree]

Thank you! Will do that. I plan on sending the letter today so it gets sent before closures for New Years. Do you think the rest of the letter is okay?

 

[Fawkes Cat]

Thank you! Will do that. I plan on sending the letter today so it gets sent before closures for New Years. Do you think the rest of the letter is okay?

This is an unusual one in that most of the time people are asking us how to minimise the consequences of their actions - but in this case you are firm that you did nothing wrong. So while you might want to note that we don't see many cases like yours, I think possibly you need to be a bit firmer in your final paragraph:

I hope this is enough to prove I travelled with a valid ticket, and I hope we can come to an amicable solution as soon as possible.

While you're not looking for an argument, you're not asking the railway for something that will make them happy - you're asking them to stop wasting your time. So while I wouldn't phrase it quite as robustly as that in a letter to the railway, maybe you should reword the end to something like

I hope this is enough to prove I travelled with a valid ticket, and I hope you will now confirm that I have committed no offence, and so you will take no further action

 

[appletree]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it. I'm going to send the letter soon and will keep you all updated on the outcome!

 

[talldave]

I would be asking for compensation for the inconvenience of dealing with their incompetence and the totally false accusation. You did nothing wrong and are being treated like a criminal, it's disgusting.

 

[greathead]

Disgraceful from GTR

 

[Tram203]

Disgraceful from GTR

Add appalling, shameful and disgusting.

Obviously it is up to the OP what actions they take, but if I were in the OP's position I would be busting a gut to drag GTR's name through as much mud and **** as possible.

Social media, TV media, the local MP, etc etc.

Shame on GTR.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

I would be asking for compensation for the inconvenience of dealing with their incompetence and the totally false accusation. You did nothing wrong and are being treated like a criminal, it's disgusting.

Disgraceful from GTR

Add appalling, shameful and disgusting.

Obviously it is up to the OP what actions they take, but if I were in the OP's position I would be busting a gut to drag GTR's name through as much mud and **** as possible.

Social media, TV media, the local MP, etc etc.

Shame on GTR.

While I understand the passion here, if the OP expresses it that's not going to make GTR any more likely to concede, is it? My advice would be to be clear, firm and courteous at this point ( and that does seem to be the line that the OP has chosen). Only if GTR don't concede would it make sense to apply pressure as well as reasoned argument.

 

[Mattplans]

I am horrified by the mere suggestion GTR may not concede. This is an open and shut case.

 

[Olivine]

I wouldn’t respond in such a polite manner and I’d send them back a letter informing them they’re being countersued for harassment.

I don’t doubt the integrity of the OP and have taken it at false value, but this is again entering into fishing expedition waters.

Provide the evidence of the OPs alleged criminality and then you can have a statement.