This is the moment a London fare dodger is confronted by ticket inspectors but escapes scot-free because they do not have any powers to detain passengers.
The man was approached by revenue protection staff from South Western Railway as he and his female companion attempted to exit the barriers at Waterloo Station.
He was asked to show his rail ticket after purchasing a last-minute e-ticket from Vauxhall to Waterloo to avoid paying his journey in-full.
But the fare dodger, who was wearing a bright orange cap and sage green jacket, accused SWR officers Ty and Jack of “assaulting” him and refused to have his ticket scanned.
“You have trapped me in the gate,” said the fare dodger, whose face is obscured. “Please can I scan through and then I will talk to you. “
He then attempted to shuffle through the gate, only for the officers to let him through despite refusing to comply with the request.
However, the fare dodger and his friend — who said she was visiting Britain from Germany — tried to flee the station after being challenged by a plain-clothed revenue protection officer.
With no police officers in sight and inspectors powerless to detain the pair, the fare dodger and his friend exit the building and disappear behind a brick wall.
Community support officers from the British Transport Police attempted to chase the fare dodger and his friend, but they lost sight of the pair.
Sadiq Khan is driving a proud city into the ground.
— Robert Jenrick (@RobertJenrick) May 29, 2025
Lawbreaking is out of control.
He's not acting. So, I did.👇 pic.twitter.com/MZSVQ3Sdak
The incident is the latest to feature in the popular Channel 5 programme Fare Dodgers: At War With The Law, which next airs this Sunday at 9pm.
Transport for London said fare evasion costs an estimated £130 million each year and it is passengers abiding by the law who have to swallow any price rises needed to plug the shortfalls.
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick raised the issue at the end of May with a viral video stunt at Stratford, using the moment to attack Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan.
Around 3.4 per cent of passengers avoided paying for travel on TfL services between April and December last year.
TfL spent £22 million cracking down on fare dodging last year.
