By Lucy Caulkett-
Data released by the British Transport Police (BTP) indicates that sexual harassment on trains is a pervasive issue, with half of the victims reporting that fellow passengers attempted to assist, yet only 18% of witnesses reported the incidents to the police.
Contrary to popular belief, the crime data reveals that the majority of sexual offenses occur during the evening rush hour period (5 pm – 7 pm) in busy train carriages. To address this concerning trend, plain-clothes officers are utilizing this data to target patrols and identify offenders.
Specialist teams are leveraging journey travel data and over 150,000 CCTV cameras on the railway network to swiftly identify suspects and conduct investigations.
The BTP emphasizes that reporting incidents to the police is crucial for holding offenders accountable and making the network safer for everyone.
The ongoing anti-sexual harassment campaign, a joint effort by the rail industry and the BTP, aims to educate passengers on recognizing and responding to various forms of harassment, empowering them to intervene safely and report perpetrators.
Unacceptable behaviors targeted by the campaign include leering, catcalling, touching, pressing, upskirting, or indecent exposure. Furnell emphasizes the need for collective responsibility, urging people to stay aware of their surroundings and take action if they witness inappropriate behavior.
Furnell stated, “We’re not asking people to police the railway because that’s our job, but we need people to report what’s happening to us so we can take action.
Reports provide us with the crucial information we need to identify crime hotspots and target our patrols to catch offenders and bring them to justice.”
Jacqueline Starr, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, expressed the industry’s commitment to confronting the issue of sexual harassment. She highlighted the campaign’s goal of making everyone feel safe on the railway and urged bystanders to report incidents or make safe interventions when necessary.
In order to facilitate reporting, the BTP encourages individuals to download the Railway Guardian app, emphasizing that every report is taken seriously. The joint efforts of the rail industry and law enforcement aim to create a safer environment for all passengers.