Some trains have power sockets for passenger use while others have none at all. There are, however, a few trains that have the occasional plug socket that's probably not really designed for public use, but may still be used by the occasional cheeky customer.
Artist Robin Lee found out the hard way that if you catch the wrong hobby bobby on the wrong day you can end up getting arrested for "abstracting electricity" which is apparently a crime. Lee, it seems, argued the toss with the police community support officer who caught him charging his phone on the train.
When they arrived at the next station there were British Transport Police waiting who arrested him for the crime of abstracting electricity and unacceptable behaviour. Obviously, the unacceptable behaviour was as a result of being told he was committing the crime of abstracting electricity and many of us would argue the toss about that.
Even so, he was de-arrested for the electricity theft but charged with unacceptable behaviour. It will now be up to the Crown Prosecution Service to decide if he'll face prosecution for getting angry about getting arrested for a stupid crime. Still, it's worth remembering that even if you haven't done anything wrong, the police are allowed to arrest you and then de-arrest you, but you're not allowed to be cross about that.
Sorry to those who don't live in London, but just because this story applies to London Overground it's very likely to have relevance on other services too. If you're in any doubt, consider checking with a train guard before you use the power, or perhaps check the operator website.
Via: The Evening Standard