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Fare Dodgers UK: At war with the law documentary

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Meerkat

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The prosecution referrals were mainly for repeat offenders, blatant fraud (child cards etc), long term fraud etc
 
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Butts

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This was not so subtly picked up in a previous post in this thread (and has since been deleted). I can think of a couple of explanations:
- It's filmed in London where there happen to be lots of BME people
- It's Channel 5, who seem to like picking out sections of society (poor people on benefits etc...) and demonising them making "entertainment" out of it.

Perhaps for balance they should have a similar show filmed in Elgin, Cullen, Keith, Banff and Macduff.

Some idiots from the smoke would probably claim they were profiling caucasians unfairy unaware they would be dropping from 44% to 4% (if you were lucky) of potential bme targets were that to be true.
 

johntea

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I saw a guy with a Channel 5 branded high viz filming today at Huddersfield so perhaps a Yorkshire follow up series is to come!
 

judethegreat

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An RPI told me years ago fare dodgers come in all demographics. Plenty of suits on commutes to balance out the more stereotypical ones...
 

jon0844

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An RPI told me years ago fare dodgers come in all demographics. Plenty of suits on commutes to balance out the more stereotypical ones...

For sure. Might actually have the suits committing far bigger frauds overall in monetary terms, but the stereotypical evader is the one that will push through and assault staff when stopped and, I'd hope, become a higher priority.
 

ZeoliteMantis

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I am curious, have you guys seen the Channel 5 docuseries called 'Fare Dodgers UK: at war with the law'?

It gives a behind the scenes with the TfL revenue protection teams for both bus and rail and the different techniques they use to catch fare evaders (it is quite impressive). The series was produced in 2019 so I can only imagine in 2023 they have improved their methods further to catch evaders.

Just wondering if the advice you give to people on this forum reflects on what you have seen in that series or if you haven't seen it, whether it can help with future advice.

(Apologies if it has been asked before)
 

SouthEastBuses

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I have watched part of it, quite an interesting documentary and shows how it's important to pay for the correct ticket when travelling!
 

Mcr Warrior

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Was briefly discussed here when the series was originally aired in 2019...

 

matt_world2004

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I don't like these reality crime programmes they encourage participants to perform for the camera which often isn't in the best interests of justice. And there was a big scandal in America where charging decisions of people accused of crimes on the series cops was based on if they signed release forms or not

Also these programmes are propaganda. You are not going to see featured in the episode "On this week's episode of fare dodgers war with the law , we incorrectly prosecute someone for using a london terminals ticket at Stratford"
 

bob007

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Also these programmes are propaganda. You are not going to see featured in the episode "On this week's episode of fare dodgers war with the law , we incorrectly prosecute someone for using a london terminals ticket at Stratford"
Very well said and I totally agree. UK has a long history of these types of shows: "benefit scrounger" shows, police dramas etc.
 

Ediswan

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Also these programmes are propaganda. You are not going to see featured in the episode "On this week's episode of fare dodgers war with the law , we incorrectly prosecute someone for using a london terminals ticket at Stratford"
One of the current road police shows is a bit better. Several episodes include a case where somebody is stopped due to some kind of admin glitch, then allowed to go on their way.
 

43066

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Very well said and I totally agree. UK has a long history of these types of shows: "benefit scrounger" shows, police dramas etc.

Perhaps that’s because many hard working taxpayers and fare-payers feel aggrieved that so many people brazenly game the system, and get away with doing so.
 

AlterEgo

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Also these programmes are propaganda. You are not going to see featured in the episode "On this week's episode of fare dodgers war with the law , we incorrectly prosecute someone for using a london terminals ticket at Stratford"
Brits are like Americans in that they love police and law procedural stuff. Most of it is propaganda, correct.

Perhaps that’s because many hard working taxpayers and fare-payers feel aggrieved that so many people brazenly game the system, and get away with doing so.
It’s definitely a cultural thing here.
 

ZeoliteMantis

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I think it is quite disappointing the series never showed any outcomes with cases at the end of each show. Feeds into your comment saying its propaganda.
Also these programmes are propaganda.
I remember an officer on the show explaining that out of court settlements were no longer possible to help with their efforts to ensure TfL was recognised as a system not to mess with but of course that wasn't strictly true as there have been instances (even if rare) where settlements have been made as seen in this forum after the show airing.
 

AlterEgo

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I think it is quite disappointing the series never showed any outcomes with cases at the end of each show. Feeds into your comment saying its propaganda.

I remember an officer on the show explaining that out of court settlements were no longer possible to help with their efforts to ensure TfL was recognised as a system not to mess with but of course that wasn't strictly true as there have been instances (even if rare) where settlements have been made as seen in this forum after the show airing.
I bet they didn’t explain that for expediency and because they don’t have the relevant expertise, they usually only charge for minor open and shut bylaw offences even when blatant and repeated fare dodging has taken place which would warrant a more serious charge.
 

ZeoliteMantis

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I bet they didn’t explain that for expediency and because they don’t have the relevant expertise, they usually only charge for minor open and shut bylaw offences even when blatant and repeated fare dodging has taken place which would warrant a more serious charge.
That makes sense
 

matt_world2004

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One of the current road police shows is a bit better. Several episodes include a case where somebody is stopped due to some kind of admin glitch, then allowed to go on their way.
Some of the road police ones. The cops are blatantly bull****ting. On one they claimed a guy was seen on camera using their phone the police was behind what looked like a transit van with the paintwork coloured rear windows.. there was no realistic way of seeing if they were on the phone or not.
It makes me wonder how many lies they tell when off camera.
 

Meerkat

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Some of the road police ones. The cops are blatantly bull****ting. On one they claimed a guy was seen on camera using their phone the police was behind what looked like a transit van with the paintwork coloured rear windows.. there was no realistic way of seeing if they were on the phone or not.
It makes me wonder how many lies they tell when off camera.
Vans have pretty big door mirrors.
 
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