Crime & Justice
Reported assaults on Britain's railways hit record high
September 24, 2026 at 12:57 PM
Coverage
3 reports · over 4 hours
TGThe Guardian
Tell us: have you been assaulted on Great Britain’s railways?
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BNBBC News
Reported assaults on Britain's rail services rise substantially
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TGThe Guardian
Reported assaults on Britain’s railways rise to nearly 25,000 a year
(opens the publisher’s site)Reported assaults on Britain's railways reached a record high of nearly 25,000 in the year to March 2026, new regulator figures show.
- The Office of Rail and Road recorded 13,464 assaults against passengers and the public on mainline rail in 2025-26, up 36% and the highest since 2004.
- Assaults against rail staff rose 12% to 11,289, while harassment increased 52% and common assault 30% year on year.
- RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey called for more staffing, an end to lone working, and stronger legal protections, saying British Transport Police funding cuts were disastrous.
- Office of Rail and Road chief inspector Richard Hines said the rise was concerning and the regulator is working with industry to address work-related violence.