SWR intent to avoid payment letter

[p2k]

Hi all,

I received a letter from SWR Prosecution Department on the 16th February saying that I ‘travelled on a Railway without previously having paid the fare with intent to avoid payment thereof’. This is true: I purchased a return from Waterloo to Vauxhall using a valid 16-15 railcard, but I actually travelled to and from Berrylands on the 28 September. When the revenue protection officer confronted me at Waterloo after my return, I gave him my name and showed him my railcard and ticket but I lied about the platform I boarded the train at Vauxhall, and said I didn’t have any ID other than my railcard and lied about my address. I gave an invalid address so he threatened to get the station police and I then gave my true journey and address. I also made the same journey with the same wrong ticket on Friday 26th September and was not caught, but these were the only times I have evaded SWR fares - I have since always paid the full fare.

I am worried because there is no option to settle given in this letter which is the desired outcome. I understand the rudimentary advice will be to draft a letter asking if there is an option to settle out of court and expressing regret and apologising, but how likely is this? Is there anything special about my case (the lying) which might motivate prosecution?

Thanks

 

[WesternLancer]

Hi all,

I received a letter from SWR Prosecution Department on the 16th February saying that I ‘travelled on a Railway without previously having paid the fare with intent to avoid payment thereof’. This is true: I purchased a return from Waterloo to Vauxhall using a valid 16-15 railcard, but I actually travelled to and from Berrylands on the 28 September. When the revenue protection officer confronted me at Waterloo after my return, I gave him my name and showed him my railcard and ticket but I lied about the platform I boarded the train at Vauxhall, and said I didn’t have any ID other than my railcard and lied about my address. I gave an invalid address so he threatened to get the station police and I then gave my true journey and address. I also made the same journey with the same wrong ticket on Friday 26th September and was not caught, but these were the only times I have evaded SWR fares - I have since always paid the full fare.

I am worried because there is no option to settle given in this letter which is the desired outcome. I understand the rudimentary advice will be to draft a letter asking if there is an option to settle out of court and expressing regret and apologising, but how likely is this? Is there anything special about my case (the lying) which might motivate prosecution?

Thanks

Welcome - these letters don't usually come with any automatic 'option to settle' - you have to ask them if they will be kind enough to do that - they want fare evaders to think there is always a chance of prosecution in order to get people to change their ways - because otherwise some people would just evade until they were discovered, pay the settlement, and do it all again knowing that they might still be 'quids in' if they are not caught very often.

Waterloo to Vauxhall tickets are such an obvious evasion tactic though they will know most people who buy such tickets (rather than using contactless or oyster cards) are likely to be deliberate evaders.

You should respond making use of the general advice usually given here which I have copied below (albeit you are some way through the process described here of course).

By doing this and co-operating with SWR I would suggest your prospects of avoiding prosecution are strong - they know lots of people lie to them when first stopped, and at least you corrected your lies then and there which is the start of the process of co-operating.

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Firstly, you committed a criminal offence by travelling with an invalid ticket and railway companies are entitled to prosecute you in the Magistrates Court if they want to. The good news is they will normally offer an out of court settlement to people who co-operate with them and who haven't come to their attention before.

Next, what happens is the railway company will write to you. The letter will go to the address that you gave them / on any of your ID they checked so you need to be able to access hard copy post at that address as they often send things that way (but also check e-mail and spam). It is extremely important that you reply, and you'll only have a limited time to do so (often 14 days from the date on their communication).

When you receive the letter post a redacted copy of it in this thread, along with your draft reply and forum members will proof read it for you. You'll find lots of example letters you can use in this section of the forum but the reply basically needs to mention:

- That you are sorry for what has happened
- What you have learned from the incident and will not do this again
- That you are keen to settle the matter without the need for court action
- Offer to pay the outstanding fare and the railway company’s administrative costs in dealing with the matter

The railway will probably offer you an out of court settlement. Expect to have to pay the cost of the fare for the journey you made at the full Anytime rate with no credit given for the invalid ticket you purchased. In addition they will charge an admin fee, typically £150. They will also audit your online ticket purchase history and if this shows you've purchased other tickets that were not valid (eg railcard discounted tickets when you did not have a valid railcard, or tickets for only part of the journey, or tickets bought after boarding the train you travelled on ) they will probably factor the cost of these journeys into the settlement offer. Depending on how many journeys you've made over the period concerned this could end up being expensive.

---------------------------------

So have a go at drafting up your response to that you have received and if it would help, post a copy here for input before sending it off

 

[z444z]

but how likely is this?

Quite likely.

Is there anything special about my case (the lying) which might motivate prosecution?

Not really, they’re used to people lying when stopped. We see SWR settle basically every case, I don’t think you need to worry too much.

 

[Trainman40083]

I am amazed how many people seem to think they will get away with just short faring from Vauxhall. Even on TV, they show how the staff at Waterloo can set the barriers to reject. As has been said, someone buying a ticket, is like having an arrow pointing you out.

 

[p2k]

Welcome - these letters don't usually come with any automatic 'option to settle' - you have to ask them if they will be kind enough to do that - they want fare evaders to think there is always a chance of prosecution in order to get people to change their ways - because otherwise some people would just evade until they were discovered, pay the settlement, and do it all again knowing that they might still be 'quids in' if they are not caught very often.

Waterloo to Vauxhall tickets are such an obvious evasion tactic though they will know most people who buy such tickets (rather than using contactless or oyster cards) are likely to be deliberate evaders.

You should respond making use of the general advice usually given here which I have copied below (albeit you are some way through the process described here of course).

By doing this and co-operating with SWR I would suggest your prospects of avoiding prosecution are strong - they know lots of people lie to them when first stopped, and at least you corrected your lies then and there which is the start of the process of co-operating.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Firstly, you committed a criminal offence by travelling with an invalid ticket and railway companies are entitled to prosecute you in the Magistrates Court if they want to. The good news is they will normally offer an out of court settlement to people who co-operate with them and who haven't come to their attention before.

Next, what happens is the railway company will write to you. The letter will go to the address that you gave them / on any of your ID they checked so you need to be able to access hard copy post at that address as they often send things that way (but also check e-mail and spam). It is extremely important that you reply, and you'll only have a limited time to do so (often 14 days from the date on their communication).

When you receive the letter post a redacted copy of it in this thread, along with your draft reply and forum members will proof read it for you. You'll find lots of example letters you can use in this section of the forum but the reply basically needs to mention:

- That you are sorry for what has happened
- What you have learned from the incident and will not do this again
- That you are keen to settle the matter without the need for court action
- Offer to pay the outstanding fare and the railway company’s administrative costs in dealing with the matter

The railway will probably offer you an out of court settlement. Expect to have to pay the cost of the fare for the journey you made at the full Anytime rate with no credit given for the invalid ticket you purchased. In addition they will charge an admin fee, typically £150. They will also audit your online ticket purchase history and if this shows you've purchased other tickets that were not valid (eg railcard discounted tickets when you did not have a valid railcard, or tickets for only part of the journey, or tickets bought after boarding the train you travelled on ) they will probably factor the cost of these journeys into the settlement offer. Depending on how many journeys you've made over the period concerned this could end up being expensive.

---------------------------------

So have a go at drafting up your response to that you have received and if it would help, post a copy here for input before sending it off

Thank you so much for your prompt and very helpful reply.

This is the draft I have come up with so far, as well as the letter I received.:
18 February 2026





Dear Sir/Madam,





I am writing in response to the incident that took place on 28 September 2025 at Waterloo Station - Reference XXXXXXXXXXXXX





I want to begin by taking full responsibility for my actions. I did not purchase a ticket valid for my full journey ahead of boarding, and attempted to avoid a fine by initially failing to cooperate honestly with your revenue protection officer. This was a serious lapse in judgment on my part, and I now understand the importance of paying the correct full fare before boarding the train and following the rules. I fully appreciate the impact fare evasion has on the railway system and other passengers, and I sincerely regret contributing to that problem.





Therefore, since the incident I have ensured to purchase a valid ticket for my full journey and have used my 16-25 railcard (No. XXXXXXXXXXXX).





I am willing to cooperate with your investigation and kindly request that you consider allowing me to settle this matter without further proceedings to court. I am happy to pay any outstanding fare owed along with any administrative costs in dealing with the matter.





Thank you for taking the time to read my response


Sincerely,


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Feb 2026 ==

Quite likely.

Not really, they’re used to people lying when stopped. We see SWR settle basically every case, I don’t think you need to worry too much.

Thank you for the reassurance

 

[GadgetMan]

You specifically mention only avoiding SWR fares on two occasions. If you've been short faring on other train operators then SWR may pick up on those too if they are in your online purchase history.

 

[p2k]

You specifically mention only avoiding SWR fares on two occasions. If you've been short faring on other train operators then SWR may pick up on those too if they are in your online purchase history.

Would this change anything about how I draft the letter? Should I admit to other short faring on other train operators, or see if they will mention them in their reply to the first message I send them?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Feb 2026 ==

Would this change anything about how I draft the letter? Should I admit to other short faring on other train operators, or see if they will mention them in their reply to the first message I send them?

Though I don’t think I’ve short fared on any operators since this incident

 

[z444z]

Would this change anything about how I draft the letter? Should I admit to other short faring on other train operators

No, definitely not. It’s just something for you to keep in mind.

or see if they will mention them in their reply to the first message I send them?

Yes.

I’ll look your draft over properly shortly

 

[WesternLancer]

Thank you so much for your prompt and very helpful reply.

This is the draft I have come up with so far, as well as the letter I received.:
18 February 2026





Dear Sir/Madam,





I am writing in response to the incident that took place on 28 September 2025 at Waterloo Station - Reference XXXXXXXXXXXXX





I want to begin by taking full responsibility for my actions. I did not purchase a ticket valid for my full journey ahead of boarding, and attempted to avoid a fine by initially failing to cooperate honestly with your revenue protection officer. This was a serious lapse in judgment on my part, and I now understand the importance of paying the correct full fare before boarding the train and following the rules. I fully appreciate the impact fare evasion has on the railway system and other passengers, and I sincerely regret contributing to that problem.





Therefore, since the incident I have ensured to purchase a valid ticket for my full journey and have used my 16-25 railcard (No. XXXXXXXXXXXX).





I am willing to cooperate with your investigation and kindly request that you consider allowing me to settle this matter without further proceedings to court. I am happy to pay any outstanding fare owed along with any administrative costs in dealing with the matter.





Thank you for taking the time to read my response


Sincerely,


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Feb 2026 ==


Thank you for the reassurance

Draft looks generally OK - perhaps a minor point but you use some turns of phrase that you don't tend to use when posting here - I realise that you should write in a formal way for this but for example:

" Therefore, since the incident I have ensured to purchase a valid ticket for my full journey..."

might be better expressed as '...made sure I buy....'

"....kindly request that you consider allowing me to settle this matter without further proceedings to court..."

maybe be better as

'....without legal action....'

so hope those suggestions help.

If you have time before the deadline maybe wait until later or 24 hours before sending in case other people have any thoughts.

If you are posting your reply keep a copy of everything and send it tracked postage from a post office.

When they reply they may raise the issue of other travel (including with other train companies potentially) - but if they do head back here for advice on how best to deal with that.

 

[p2k]

Draft looks generally OK - perhaps a minor point but you use some turns of phrase that you don't tend to use when posting here - I realise that you should write in a formal way for this but for example:



might be better expressed as '...made sure I buy....'



maybe be better as

'....without legal action....'

so hope those suggestions help.

If you have time before the deadline maybe wait until later or 24 hours before sending in case other people have any thoughts.

If you are posting your reply keep a copy of everything and send it tracked postage from a post office.

When they reply they may raise the issue of other travel (including with other train companies potentially) - but if they do head back here for advice on how best to deal with that.

Thanks for your suggestions

 

[z444z]

Move the reference to the top with the date.

Unless they’ve mentioned anything about you being uncooperative it’s probably best not to mention it. However if you feel you need to say something don’t say “tried to avoid a fine”, it’d be best to just apologise for not immediately cooperating with the officer but make it clear that you did in the end, and leave it at that.

I think as well as taking full responsibility and ensuring them it won’t happen again, you should also be apologising for your actions.

Agreed with the above that “made sure” reads better than “ensured”

I’d remove the last bit about thanking them for reading - end it on the important bit about the settlement

 

[bb21]

I am amazed how many people seem to think they will get away with just short faring from Vauxhall. Even on TV, they show how the staff at Waterloo can set the barriers to reject. As has been said, someone buying a ticket, is like having an arrow pointing you out.

On a Sunday as well. Paper return with Railcard to Vauxhall £4.95, while off-peak singles on Oyster to Berrylands is £2.90 each way - all for the sake of 85p. The mind truly boggles sometimes. Hopefully this is a hefty lesson to learn.

 

[philthetube]

in the original post the op states they were were legitimately using a "16-15", could age be a factor here.

 

[Haywain]

in the original post the op states they were were legitimately using a "16-15", could age be a factor here.

I would think that's a typing error and it should say 16-25.