My daily journey to work is getting the train from Streatham Hill to Clapham Junction, then from Clap Junc to Wandsworth Town. This morning I got the bus as I had to be in work for 7am. I finished work at 3pm and wentk to purchase a train ticket from Wandsworth Town to Streatham Hill with my Young Person's Railcard. My bank card is getting on a bit and it didn't recognise my card. So I looked for a ticket office: No ticket office. I looked for a 'permit to travel' machine. None of those either. I wanted to get home as I'd been working since 7am. So I risked getting the train without a ticket as I knew there were no barriors either side of the station. I get to Streatham Hill. Everything's dandy. Get to the top of the steps and its swarming with Police. So without any doubt or bullshit in mind I politely tell them that the machine in Wandsworth Town did not recognise my card. They treat me like a fucking criminal and ask why I haven't got a ticket. For the second time I tell them why, and feel quite intimidated being talked to in such a manner by two armed pigs. I even show them my Railcard, to prove that I had every intention of buying a ticket. They completly disgard anything I say and ask me to pay the fine of £20 or risk court or arrest. I tell them I don't have £20 except for the faulty bank card. I also suggest that it's not my fault the machine did not recognise my card. They ask if I'm getting lippy. I suggest they go looking for real criminals instead of wasting time with someone who is entirely innocent. Moving along things get heated and they threaten to arrest me.

I end up paying £20 fucking quid. Which isan't allot to some. Fucking arsbandits.