British train travel safety fears grow as attacks on women surge

Violent attacks against women on British railways have more than doubled since 2021, according to new data.

Figures from the British Transport Police Authority’s 2024 annual report showed the number of crimes against women and girls rose from 7,561 in 2021 to 11,357 in 2023.

The number of sexual offences jumped 10 per cent over the same period, while sexual harassment reports doubled, the data first reported by The Times also revealed.

It also revealed that a separate British Transport Police (BTP) survey released last year reported more than a third of all women travelling by rail would be assaulted during their commute.

BTP data also indicated that most assaults occur during the evening rush hour when trains are packed and busy.

Unacceptable behaviour such as leering, catcalling, touching, pressing, upskirting or indecent exposure is being experienced by women more than ever.

It said about 51per cent of the female victims stated that other rail passengers intervened by helping.

However, only one in five people who have witnessed incidents of sexual harassment reported it to police.

Last year, BTP Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Furnell called on the community to watch out and stand up for each other while catching the train or tube.

“I’ll guarantee that most of us have told our daughters, mums, or friends to be careful on their way home when they’re travelling alone late at night. Perhaps to share their journeys and stick to well-lit areas.

“But we know that sexual harassment and offending can take place at any hour of the day. Our figures show that it’s most likely to happen at the busiest hours when carriages are most full.”

“If we see thing that isn’t right, do something about it, whether by intervening, if you feel safe to do so or reporting it to police,” he stated.

On trains, the rail industry and BTP are rolling out a new, ongoing anti-sexual harassment campaign.

It aimed to educate passengers on how to recognise situations of sexual harassment, how to intervene safely, and how to report perpetrators to keep all passengers safe from harassment.

“You do that while commuting to work, home, or wherever their destination may be,’’ BTP said.

(dpa/NAN)