Met staff's free travel scam

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

An internal email seen by the Evening Standard warns staff that such action is a criminal offence and will result in prosecution and dismissal. Police officers are entitled to free travel and can show their warrant card if asked.

However, the police staff passes are similar to the warrant cards and have been misused by other people who work for the force.

The racketwas discovered after a series of exercises involving Railway Revenue Inspectors and British Transport Police. A spokesman for the BTP said officers contacted the professional standards department at the Met. Scotland Yard today confirmed that they had been alerted to the issue.

A spokeswoman said: "The MPS expects its staff to behave professionally, ethically and with the utmost integrity at all times. Any allegations of misconduct are taken extremely seriously and dealt with appropriately.

"If any member of the MPS is found guilty of such an offence they are likely to be dismissed."

The spokeswoman said there were no plans to change the staff identity card to look less like the warrant card.

The maximum penalty for fare evasion is £1,000 or a three-month prison sentence.