Elizabeth line passenger spits in TfL worker's face after being confronted for fare dodging

By MARK DUELL, DEPUTY CHIEF REPORTER (DIGITAL) Published: 12:39, 20 July 2026 | Updated: 12:45, 20 July 2026 An Elizabeth line passenger spat in the face of a worker then fled from a station after being confronted about not paying her train fare, police said today. The woman was challenged by a member of staff during the rush-hour when she walked through ticket barriers at Ilford station in east London without paying. But she responded by spitting in the Transport for London (TfL) employee's face before running off on the afternoon of Friday, May 22 at about 5pm. In an attempt to trace the passenger, British Transport Police (BTP) have released two CCTV images of a woman as the investigation into the incident continues. Police are trying to trace this woman after the spitting incident at Ilford station on May 22 A BTP statement this morning said: 'Do you recognise this woman? Officers investigating an assault at Ilford railway station are releasing images in connection. Police say the woman in the two images could have information to assist the investigation 'At just before 5pm on May 22, a woman passed through the station's ticket barriers without paying.  'She was challenged for doing so and responded by spitting in a member of rail staff's face. The woman then quickly left the station. 'Officers believe the woman in the images could have information that may assist their ongoing investigation.' It comes after TfL revealed last month that the number of passengers handed £100 penalty fares across the network had surged over the past year. Penalty fares are £100, reduced to £50 if paid within 21 days. Some 69,001 of them were issued in the year to March, up 9 per cent from the previous 12 months. TfL claimed its ongoing crackdown on fare dodging had also seen a further 21,533 cases result in reports for possible prosecution, up 19 per cent year-on-year. Around 400,000 journeys on a normal weekday are evaded across the network – which costs TfL an estimated £200million a year in income. Industry body the Rail Delivery Group estimates that at least £350million to £400million of annual fares revenue is lost to fraud and ticketless travel across the UK train network each year. The Department for Transport said last week that new ticket barriers will be installed at railway stations across England in a crackdown on fare evasion. A £33.4million investment will fund taller gates to prevent passengers jumping over them, and more standard waist-high gates. Anyone who recognises the woman can text BTP on 61016 or call 0800 405040, with the reference 530 of May 22; or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.