South East ticket fraud reports surge by 96%
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
A Freedom of Information request sent by Lucia to Action Fraud revealed that ticket fraud reports have surged by 96% in the South East from 2021 to 2023. The years 2022-2023 also saw an increase by 10%.
Altogether in the South East there were 494 reports in 2021, this rose to 882 in 2022, and to 967 in 2023 showing a year on year rise. In the most up to date 2024 figures (Jan-May) there have been 495 reports.
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Hide AdLooking into the regions police forces, Hampshire Constabulary saw the biggest surge from 2021 to 2023 (162%), Surrey Police was second (117%), and Kent Police was third (109%).


Police Force | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | Percentage Increase |
Hampshire Constabulary | 65 | 144 | 170 | 162% |
Surrey Police | 66 | 123 | 143 | 117% |
Kent Police | 94 | 123 | 196 | 109% |
Sussex Police | 69 | 135 | 141 | 104% |
Thames Valley Police | 200 | 297 | 317 | 59% |
Thames Valley Police saw the smallest increase overall (59%).
Looking at the demographic details of the reports made from 2021 to May 2024 in the South East, 1,314 came from females, 1,117 came from males and 347 were classed as unknown. Altogether 47% were females.
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Hide Ad Police Force | Female | Male | Unknown |
Thames Valley Police | 448 | 407 | 129 |
Kent Police | 245 | 184 | 70 |
Hampshire Constabulary | 223 | 201 | 51 |
Surrey Police | 202 | 158 | 53 |
Sussex Police | 196 | 167 | 44 |
Looking at the victim age group statistics, the most common age group that were victims in the South East were 20-29.
Sadly, three victims were children aged between 0-9.
Across the entire region 247 victims were children/young adults aged between 0 and 19.
Moving onto the monetary details, the South East had an average loss of £743 between 2021 and May 2024.
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Hide AdIn terms of police forces, Thames Valley Police saw the highest overall average loss (£916), Surrey Police was second (£755), and Hampshire Constabulary was third (£714).
Police Force | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Overall Average |
Thames Valley Police | £983 | £822 | £1,026 | £796 | £916 |
Surrey Police | £717 | £845 | £834 | £510 | £755 |
Hampshire Constabulary | £656 | £849 | £550 | £843 | £714 |
Kent Police | £651 | £691 | £770 | £658 | £709 |
Sussex Police | £401 | £817 | £770 | £664 | £707 |
Sussex Police had the lowest average loss in the region with £707.
When considering the highest loss, Thames Valley Police was at the top reporting a loss of £36,461. Hampshire Constabulary had the second-highest loss (£20,000) and Kent Police came third reporting a loss of £16,600.
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Hide Ad Police Force | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Highest Loss |
Thames Valley Police | £36,461 | £14,000 | £21,078 | £7,281 | £36,461 |
Hampshire Constabulary | £5,074 | £9,706 | £8,700 | £20,000 | £20,000 |
Kent Police | £5,524 | £7,738 | £16,600 | £4,980 | £16,600 |
Surrey Police | £8,000 | £9,699 | £10,800 | £5,500 | £10,800 |
Sussex Police | £4,872 | £8,988 | £9,600 | £5,000 | £9,600 |
Speaking on the findings, Georgina Pellant from Lucia said, “these findings are really shocking.
“It’s really easy to fall victim, all it takes is a small drop in focus, maybe a busy day, or you’re feeling tired, and you can lose a lot of money, no matter how fraud savvy you are.
“The fact that children, under the age of 10, are also falling victim means we don’t just have to be mindful of our own activities, but also our family and even kids.
“I urge people to be careful, always think twice, use trusted sources, never rush, and remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it most often is.”
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