Fare dodging: Britain's guilt-free, middle-class criminals

Research shows that almost one in four fare-dogers consider their actions morally acceptible. Most fare-dodgers are young, and male, with higher socio-economic groups most active.

Research from G4S Security Services claims that nearly one in 10 (9%) Britons have failed to pay a fare for a journey by public transport during the last five years.

The crime is perpetrated predominantly by 16-24 year olds, with almost a quarter (22%) of those questioned admitting to dodging a fare. This contrasts with the 45-54 age bracket where just 4% admitted failing to pay for a journey by public transport. This figure falls to just 1% for those aged 55-64.

The crime is most prevalent amongst men: 13% admitted to fare avoidance compared to 5% of women. A third (33%) of those who have committed the offence in the last five years consider their actions to be justified and morally acceptable.

The crime appears to have little to do with the offender’s social status. Those admitting to having dodged a fare are over 50% more likely to be from higher socio-economic groups. Of those questioned, 11% of adults categorised as A,B (managerial and professional), and C1s (supervisory and clerical) admitted to the offence, compared to only 7% in the C2,D,and E (skilled manual, unskilled manual and unemployed) social classifications.

Greater London has by far the highest frequency of fare dodging with 17% of those questioned having committed the crime in the last five years. Only 6% of those questioned in the Midlands admit to having done so.