GWR incident – advice needed

[armin]

GWR incident – advice needed


Hi everyone,


I had an issue with a GWR inspector recently. I paid for my ticket during the interaction, but the inspector said they would report me to the police because of some incorrect details I provided. He told me that, he issued the ticket, I paid and then he left.


I wasn’t given any paperwork, and I’m worried about what might happen next.

His body-worn camera was turned on.

Has anyone had a similar experience? Did you hear anything afterwards, and how was it resolved?


I’d appreciate any advice.

Thanks.

 

[jfollows]

What sort of ticket did you hold? If you had some kind of e-ticket, did the inspector scan it? What ticket were you subsequently issued? Where were you travelling from and to?

Please read before posting in Disputes & Prosecutions

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[Chiltern 165]

would report me to the police

This sounds like you met an overly officious RPO, I don’t believe this is a police matter nor something the police would be interested in.

GWR can privately prosecute you, however it is generally unlikely, especially because you already paid them on the spot.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

I don’t believe this is a police matter

Failing to give your name and address is a railway byelaw offence, and so is at least potentially a police matter:

23. Name and address
(1) Any person reasonably suspected by an authorised person of breaching or
attempting to breach any of these Byelaws shall give his name and address
when asked by an authorised person.
(2) The authorised person asking for details under Byelaw 23(1) shall state the
nature of the breach of any of these Byelaws in general terms at the time of
the request.

(source: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a79c14b40f0b66d161ade8c/railway-byelaws.pdf)

nor something the police would be interested in.

But that's probably a fair assessment of the practical position.

What does this mean for the OP? Essentially, for the next six months (the practical limit on any prosecution they might face) they need to keep an eye out in case they get a letter from the railway wanting to take them to court. It's most likely that there won't be any such letter: from the account of what happened, I think that the inspector was trying to frighten the OP into good behaviour, and it would be easiest for the OP if they did now make sure that they always have a valid ticket before they get on the train and not taking the risk that they will be caught without one. But missing a letter about prosecution can make things complicated, so keep an eye out in case there is one.

 

[WesternLancer]

GWR incident – advice needed


Hi everyone,


I had an issue with a GWR inspector recently. I paid for my ticket during the interaction, but the inspector said they would report me to the police because of some incorrect details I provided. He told me that, he issued the ticket, I paid and then he left.


I wasn’t given any paperwork, and I’m worried about what might happen next.

His body-worn camera was turned on.

Has anyone had a similar experience? Did you hear anything afterwards, and how was it resolved?


I’d appreciate any advice.

Thanks.

EDIT - cross posted below with helpful info given by @Fawkes Cat

Its required (legal requirement) that people must give their correct name and address to railway staff when asked to do so - which is a bit different to other walks of life where you would not be under that requirement.

Sounds to me that the Inspector here realised / could tell / strongly suspected you were not giving your true address and I think from other threads on here I've seen they do then sometimes try and get the Transport Police to assist in obtaining an address - which presumably if refused to a police officer could result in being arrested.

So this may be what happened.

I think the advice would therefore be to just wait and see if you are contacted by anyone (police, railway staff) about this in coming weeks or months eg by letter or e-mail / spam, and if so come back here for further advice. It's a reasonable chance that nothing will happen and you have got away with it this time.

But be aware you are now going to be on their radar. That inspector may well recognise you in future, they have body worn film of you by the sound of it, and depending on your ticket they may in theory be able to trace you from info related to the ticket.

Best thing to do is to ensure you have the correct ticket in future (which you must buy before you get on the train) so that you didn't draw attention to yourself again and stay off their radar.