Southeastern prosecution letter.

[Arnov]

Good morning, I was hoping to get some assistance following receipt of a potential prosecution letter from Southeastern.

I have now received a letter after being stopped on the 13th of Feb, the letter says:

"Southeastern is committed to ensuring all journeys are paid out of fairness to all passengers.

On 13 February 2025 you gave your details and were questioned by a member of rail staff with regard to an incident on Southeastern. Southeastern is reviewing your case and may consider pursuing a prosecution.

We invite you to respond with any comments about the incident. Please complete in full the second page of this letter, attaching any comments and send it to the above address within 21 days. Please respond to the address or the email given below.

You can also contact the prosecutions team at: prosecutions.team@southeasternrailway.co.uk

Please be aware that Southeastern uses Body worn video, CCTV and various software packages to combat fraudulent travel.

You may wish to seek independent legal advice on the information contained in this letter.

Failure to respond to this letter will lead to the matter being progressed without further notification. If we do write to to you again, we may seek a contribution to our costs of recovering the amount owed."

So that's the letter, is that fairly standard?

My proposed response to the letter is as follows:

"Dear Mr Wills, (the letter is signed Mr G. R. Wills, Debt Recovery & Prosecutions Manager)

I write in response to your letter dated 25 February 2025.

On 13 February I was question by a member of rail staff for not having a valid ticket for travel and I would like to apologise for this error in judgment.

I had not appreciated the problems this kind of behaviour causes rail operators such as Southeastern at the time but have now acquainted myself with the impact and realise the seriousness of the issue and how much I have let myself down.

I will never again repeat this behaviour.

I am more than willing to cover the cost of any fare owed and any administrative costs associated with this case and please ask that we reach a settlement for this matter without the need for the involvement of the court.

Thank you for your time and once again, my apologies."

Does that look OK?

Thank you in advance

 

[AlterEgo]

It’s hard to say unless we know what happened. From the sticky post at the top of this section of the forum:

• We need to know all relevant facts in order to assist you, including, for example:
  • The stations* where you actually started & finished your journey
  • The stations* where you changed trains (if applicable);
  • If you presented a ticket(s), the information* stated under "Ticket type", "From", "To", "Route", and any other relevant details;
  • Details of any Railcard(s) held;
  • When and where ticket(s) were purchased, including whether this was prior to the journey commencing;
  • What happened in any encounter with railway staff;
  • Upload copies of any paperwork (with personal details redacted) with your post.

 

[Arnov]

Thanks for responding, additional information below:

• The stations* where you actually started & finished your journey - Started at Horsham, ended at London Bridge
• The stations* where you changed trains (if applicable) - I didn't change trains
• If you presented a ticket(s), the information* stated under "Ticket type", "From", "To", "Route", and any other relevant details - I presented a ticket from Blackfriars to London Bridge
• Details of any Railcard(s) held - No railcard
• When and where ticket(s) were purchased, including whether this was prior to the journey commencing - The ticket was purchased on the train on the way to London Bridge
• What happened in any encounter with railway staff - Staff asked me how I'd gained access to Blackfriars without scanning in and then proceeded to caution and question me.
• Upload copies of any paperwork (with personal details redacted) with your post - I've typed out the letter verbatim rather than upload a picture of it.

 

[tonycockram]

So you’ve short fared and then bought a ticket in the train either when you’ve seen someone on the treain collecting tickets or at the barriers at London Bridge to exit?

your first attempt at a letter isn’t too bad but my advice would be to make it sound a bit more sincere in particular the paragraph ‘ I had not appreciated….

It’s fairly obvious what you have done!

Have you done this before? You don’t need to tell the toc about that, but it is quite likely they will look into how you have bought tickets previously and also to request payments of those, with no credit for earlier payments. But you don’t need to incriminate yourself unless they ask about other journeys.

Expect them to come back with an offer of settlement of around £150 to £200 admin fees and the charge for the journey at normal
Rate.

Make sure you keep any copies of letters and correspondence sent to them.

 

[Arnov]

That's really helpful, thank you.

Does saying "I did not give due consideration to the problems this kind of behaviour..."

Sound better?

 

[tonycockram]

I’d say something along the lines of ‘ I made a silly decision to purchase a short fared ticket whilst on the train, but I now realise how foolish this is…. I am extremely sorry that I’ve done this and reassure you that it will never happen again…

To me it feels more honest etc ..

 

[Arnov]

I’d say something along the lines of ‘ I made a silly decision to purchase a short fared ticket whilst on the train, but I now realise how foolish this is…. I am extremely sorry that I’ve done this and reassure you that it will never happen again…

To me it feels more honest etc ..

Got it, thank you.

I've lost a bit a of sleep over this situation but didn't mention in the response because I worry it might seem disingenuous, what do you think?

 

[30907]

Got it, thank you.

I've lost a bit a of sleep over this situation but didn't mention in the response because I worry it might seem disingenuous, what do you think?

I think you are wise to leave it out.

 

[tonycockram]

Absolutely leave it out for now. If they return questioning it, then is the time to raise it.

 

[Arnov]

Thanks for the help and advice. I intend to print my response off and send back via recorded post as well as emailing the response over. Just to try and ensure they receive it.

Is that OTT?

 

[WesternLancer]

Thanks for the help and advice. I intend to print my response off and send back via recorded post as well as emailing the response over. Just to try and ensure they receive it.

Is that OTT?

No - it's a good idea to use both methods I think. Not least because we have had a few cases on here since Christmas of SE Trains seemingly losing responses people have sent and the next thing you get is a court summons....

Tho you could use 'tracked post' if you like (IIRC that is possibly cheaper than recorded but gives you the same proof it was delivered should you need it)

Keep copies of everything, make sure ref numbers are on every bit of paper along with your full name and postal address and e-mail address.

 

[Arnov]

No - it's a good idea to use both methods I think. No least because we have had a few cases on here since Christmas of SE Trains seemingly losing responses people have sent and the next thing you get is a court summons....

Tho you could use 'tracked post' if you like (IIRC that is possibly cheaper than recorded but gives you the same proof it was delivered should you need it)

Keep copies of everything, make sure ref numbers are on every bit of paper along with your full name and postal address and e-mail address.

Thank you

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Mar 2025 ==

Hello, just as a quick update, I posted the response this morning and then emailed over. I had an email a few hours later acknowledging receipt and saying they would be in contact via post once the investigation had concluded.

Finger crossed they are happy to go with settlement.

 

[WesternLancer]

Thank you

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Mar 2025 ==

Hello, just as a quick update, I posted the response this morning and then emailed over. I had an email a few hours later acknowledging receipt and saying they would be in contact via post once the investigation had concluded.

Finger crossed they are happy to go with settlement.

That's good as you have proof they got it - keep a copy of that.

 

[Arnov]

Hello, just to follow up and close off. I received a letter with details of an out of court settlement offer. That's paid and the matter is now closed (according to the payment website)

Thank you for your help and advice, it was really appreciated. Thank you.

 

[WesternLancer]

Hello, just to follow up and close off. I received a letter with details of an out of court settlement offer. That's paid and the matter is now closed (according to the payment website)

Thank you for your help and advice, it was really appreciated. Thank you.

Good to hear. Keep proof of payment and all correspondence associated with all this, and keep that long term (more than a year) in the unlikely event you need to prove this in future.