I actually went out and did some work last night. At 19.55 I had a job come through to do a pick up and go across town. It was from one house to another house. When we got to the destination the front seat passenger said that she just had to go in the house to get the money. And yes you have guessed it, she didn't come back. I knocked on the door but no one answered. Now the fare was only £4.80 so I could have just left it at that and forgot about it, after all it is not the end of the world os it. But I decided that because there has been a lot of crime in the town recently I would report it to the police. I was astonished by their response. I told them that we record all phone calls and that the car has CCTV. They asked if I wanted to deal with it as a civil matter or a criminal matter. I said that I would prefer the criminal route. They are coming to viev the CCTV this afternoon and get all the details. We can provide the names of both of the car occupants and it turns out that the chap in the back seat has not been out of prison long and they are both drug dealers. So this £4.80 fare could be quite costly for them.

We can provide the names of both of the car occupants and it turns out that the chap in the back seat has not been out of prison long and they are both drug dealers. So this £4.80 fare could be quite costly for them.

They asked if I wanted to deal with it as a civil matter or a criminal matter

It turns out that the person who made the booking was not the person in the car. The police are not concerned by that though. The people in the car have been positively identified and the still photo provided by us is of a good quality. Whilst in the office the officer checked the picture with photos on the woman's facebook page and agreed that there is no doubt about identity. He did say that it may be possible that they may not pursue it due to the low value of the loss but said that in the circumstances (previous convictions) it is unlikely. They expect to uncover other crimes when they visit the homes (possible drug dealers).

Fraud Act 2006 is what you need to know.
Section 11 "Obtaining services dishonestly"

I have an update.
The police have been to see me this morning with the fare. The first sergeant that looked at the paperwork apparently dismissed it as a non starter. However one of our local sergeants looked at it and assigned it to one of the community officers to persue. He went round and gave the couple a good telling off and warned them as to their future conduct.

In Sefton we have a plastic sticker that sticks to the back windows .... That informs the passengers and police that not paying the fare is a criminal offence.....under the fraud act 2006.....supplied by sefton council with the sefton name and logo on it........approved by Merseyside police.. you shold get your council to do the same

I have an update.
The police have been to see me this morning with the fare. The first sergeant that looked at the paperwork apparently dismissed it as a non starter. However one of our local sergeants looked at it and assigned it to one of the community officers to persue. He went round and gave the couple a good telling off and warned them as to their future conduct.