Transport for London has been rounded on by the Information Commissioners Office for collecting children’s data "without a clear purpose."

From this month, 11 to 18 year olds have to carry an Oyster photocard to get free travel. The move was designed to clamp down on anti social behaviour which has soared since the travel scheme was introduced.

Data will be shared

Children who wish to avail of the scheme must fill in a form and provide photographs - this information is shared with TfL's partners and subsidiaries; including service providers, train operating companies and the police. Cops are increasingly making requests for Oyster card data, 3,000 such applications were made last year.

The ICO questions whether children have a free choice, a spokesperson said:

"We have some concerns that the information provided to young people about Zip cards does not clearly state why the personal information is being collected, how it will be used and how long it will be retained."

Behavioural code

Applicants have to apply by the 'behavioural code' - otherwise the card is withdrawn.
 
A TfL spokesperson said:

"A young person with criminal convictions, warnings, reprimands and other sanctions committed on the public transport network could have the right to free travel withdrawn. In order to enforce these specific cases, personal information is requested by the Metropolitan Police Service, City of London Police Service and British Transport Police."

'Mobile youth clubs'

A TfL report in 2006 showed that "code red" emergency calls by bus drivers rose 17 per cent in the year after under-16s were granted free travel. Police figures also showed bus-related crime rising 14 per cent between May 2005 and May 2006.

Seven of the top eight routes for anti-social behaviour were served by bendy buses, which suffer endemic fare-dodging.

A report by the Metropolitan Police Authority found direct links between the rise in crime and the way in which buses were becoming what they called "mobile youth clubs".