The "Revenue" checking tickets?

[ButterflySoldi]

When I was coming out of Leicester Sq Tube station today there were about five or six men asking to see everyone's photo IDs as they were coming out, and those that didn't they were probing them. They said they were from the Revenue, which I thought was odd as I didn't know the Inland Revenue dealt with Rail travel? Plus they were dressed in plain clothes, and whilst I know there's fare inspectors in plain clothes, as I said, they said they were the "Revenue".

Does anyone know if this is a legit system, or it was just a group of me trying some scam?

 

[Ferret]

When I was coming out of Leicester Sq Tube station today there were about five or six men asking to see everyone's photo IDs as they were coming out, and those that didn't they were probing them. They said they were from the Revenue, which I thought was odd as I didn't know the Inland Revenue dealt with Rail travel? Plus they were dressed in plain clothes, and whilst I know there's fare inspectors in plain clothes, as I said, they said they were the "Revenue".

Does anyone know if this is a legit system, or it was just a group of me trying some scam?

LU do have plain clothes inspectors, but not sure why they want photo ID from everyone!

 

[Mojo]

When I was coming out of Leicester Sq Tube station today there were about five or six men asking to see everyone's photo IDs as they were coming out, and those that didn't they were probing them. They said they were from the Revenue, which I thought was odd as I didn't know the Inland Revenue dealt with Rail travel? Plus they were dressed in plain clothes, and whilst I know there's fare inspectors in plain clothes, as I said, they said they were the "Revenue".

Does anyone know if this is a legit system, or it was just a group of me trying some scam?

Well Inland Revenue hasn't existed in over seven years now, but that's just me being pedantic (yes I realise it's a colloquial term much like "tax man."

London Underground has a team of over 200 Revenue Control Inspectors and Managers, and a main part of job often involves conducting plain clothes and uniformed inspections at stations. All staff carry a badge which is supposed to be presented when they are checking a ticket.

You can be certain it was genuine; like I say they all have badges, and I'm sure the station staff would have noticed a large bunch of people standing around on the station approaching people.
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LU do have plain clothes inspectors, but not sure why they want photo ID from everyone!

There isn't a dedicated plain clothes unit, but Revenue staff would conduct plain clothes operations. I presume the OP meant inspecting Photocards from those customers who hold tickets that require it; rather than everyone passing through (else there might still be customers waiting to leave the station now!)

 

[bluenoxid]

If you are not happy, ask for ID.

If they do not do it, please contact the BTP on 0800405040

The revenue or HMRC have no interest in train tickets AFAIK

 

[jon0844]

I do chuckle at the FCC RPIs I know and recognise when they go plain clothed. Their choice of clothing can be quite amusing, especially the ones that try and dress really chavvy!

TBH, I don't know why they don't do it far more frequently than they do. It catches people out who run up the train (or get off next stop) when they see revenue. Of course you lose the deterrent factor of evaders seeing there are staff, but word must get around that there's no way to tell if there's revenue on the train.

 

[transmanche]

but word must get around that there's no way to tell if there's revenue on the train.

Especially if they advertise the fact. (This poster is from 1993.)

 

[185]

I love plain clothes days..... hours of fun!

Keep an eye out for the scruffy chav in the worn out hoodie on the back seat.

tickets please

 

[urban469]

Was there a fear by some of TfL's RPI that revealing their identity on The Tube on BBC Two undermines plain clothes operations? Cos now those staff are famous(ish)!

 

[jon0844]

I am sure the serial fare evaders will eventually get to recognise RPIs - but when you consider someone you don't recognise could be a plain clothed revenue officer, hopefully that serves as a bit of a deterrent.

Clearly this happens, as I regularly walk through trains (get on at country end in London, walk through to London end at country end - and vice versa). Sure, you get people looking at anyone that walks through - or when the internal doors open. But it's always a picture when walking through FC or just seeing certain people that if you went by stereotypes, you'd say have a high chance of not having a ticket.

And when you see their initial look of shock, or even getting up to move, you realise that they're already fearing that you're about to pull out some ID and ask for tickets. And then the relief when you are in fact just walking through.

One day I'll muster up the courage to walk in to a carriage and ask for tickets and railcards and see what reaction I get.

 

[snail]

One day I'll muster up the courage to walk in to a carriage and ask for tickets and railcards and see what reaction I get.

Sods law says it will be the day there is a real RPI there.

What's the penalty for impersonating a Railway Officer?

 

[jon0844]

If I am in plain clothes and ask to see tickets and railcards, does that mean I am impersonating a Railway Officer? I might just have a ticket fetish.