Pic: Suede Bicycle

A Croydon man has been charged with ticket touting in connection with the 2012 Olympics.

Paul Johnson, 42 of Oakfield Road, was charged with ticket-touting and is due to appear at Camberwell Green Magistrates’ Court on August 17 2012.

The Metropolitan Police have arrested 29 people on suspicion of ticket-touting at the London Olympics so far, with 11 people being charged.

Detective Superintendent Nick Downing of the Metropolitan police said: “We have been, and will continue to seek out and take robust action against anybody who tries to cash in on the 2012 Games in this way.

“Ticket touting is illegal and is a clear exploitation of those who genuinely wish to experience the Games first-hand.”

The arrests come amid growing criticism about the thousands of empty seats at Olympic venues across London and frustration among the many Londoners who have missed out on Olympic tickets. The police have warned however against buying from touts.

“If you do, you are likely to find yourself paying over the odds for them, while at the same time fuelling criminality,” Downing said.