RAIL union RMT has condemned an alarming 50 per cent rise in violent crimes against women on Britain’s trains, emphasising the need for adequately staffed trains and stations.
The number of crimes against women and girls rose from 7,561 in 2021 to 11,357 in 2023, according to figures from the British Transport Police (BTB) Authority’s 2024 annual report.
The number of sexual offences rose by 10 per cent and sexual harassment reports also doubled, to 1,908 in the same period.
A worrying survey by the BTB published last year revealed that a third of all women have been victims of sexual harassment or sexual offences while travelling by rail.
It revealed that one in five who had witnessed incidents of sexual harassment reported it to police.
The BTP has since launched a Railway Guardian app, which allows people to report crimes anonymously.
Sexual harassment of female transport workers has been widespread, with RMT’s research revealing that 40 per cent of women in the industry have faced such attacks.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said yesterday: “Evidence shows that properly staffed trains and stations support women and girls’ feelings around their safety and security when travelling and the presence of staff can also deter perpetrators.
“These shocking figures are a reminder of the need for guards on trains, and staffed stations and ticket offices to help address the epidemic of violence against women and girls.”
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh posted on X: “These figures are appalling. Everyone should be safe on public transport.
“That’s why under this government, our publicly owned railways will be relentlessly held to account on safety and standards and completely focused on the passenger.”
Jess Phillips, the Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, said: “Whether these figures reflect an increase in reporting, an increase in the volume of crime, or a combination of the two, one thing is clear, the level of violence, harassment and sexual offences that women and girls are facing when using the transport network is completely unacceptable and cannot be allowed to go unchallenged.”
