Policy/guidance/material from MPS has for with person/s refusing to pay Taxi Fare

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.024061

I note you seek access to the following information:

Can you kindly provide a copy of any policy, guidance or material that the Met Police has when dealing with person/s refusing to pay a Taxi Fare.

What training is given to 999 operators for the above and supply a copy of the policy, guidance or material used.

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

There is no specific policy, guidance or material that relates to officers investigating a person refusing to pay a Taxi Fare. This would be covered by the General Investigation Policy.

For your information, the offences relating to passengers who fail to pay are as follows:

• Making off without payment under Section 3 of the Theft Act 1978. The passenger runs of without paying.
• Obtaining services dishonestly under Section 11 Fraud Act 2006. The person knowingly takes a journey without having the funds to pay but does not notify the driver until arrival at the intended destination. Similarly, the passenger outright refuses to pay at the intended destination.

With regard to training issued to our telephone operators, please find the below extract which is relevant:

Making off without payment
Although not part of the Fraud Act this definitely fits in with this section – It covers failing to pay for taxi’s, failing to pay for petrol, running away from restaurants etc.

Look at the SOP and at the theft SOP it covers these issues and tells you what to do etc.

Following some confusion in FC a reminder has been issued re bilking;
There are over 28,000 licenced black cab drivers working in London.

All drivers and their vehicles are strictly regulated by TfL.

Laws relating to taxis date back to 1843, so many abstract offences can be committed in taxis, however police generally become involved when the fare hasn’t been paid.

Such incidents fall into one of two categories;

1. Civil Disputes
2. Theft

Civil disputes
If a passenger refuses to pay the fare they commit an offence.
However if they have a genuine reason for non-payment or a complaint about the route taken then this is a civil matter. Both parties have rights and they should be encouraged to exchange details and seek civil remedies.

If someone has been sick in a taxi this is not a criminal offence and should be treated as a civil dispute. Police would not normally deploy to such incidents.
However if a hirer refuses to provide their details or gives a false address they commit an offence.

Bilking
Bilking is the term for making off without paying the fare.
Anyone running away from a taxi with no intention of paying is guilty of an offence. (Fraud Act 2006 s11).

Any person can arrest someone for bilking, however cab drivers are strongly advised to call the police, as wrongful arrest can lead to civil claims.

Advise drivers to get a good description of suspects, stay in their cab and (if appropriate) await police attendance.

These incidents can be ‘S’ graded if the usual criteria are met - the suspects location is known, just happened etc. Or alternative arrangements - TDIU, appointment etc, may me more suitable. (THRIVE+ will apply)”