Reports of violent incidents and harassment across Britain’s rail services rose sharply in the year to March 2026, according to figures published by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).
What the Numbers Show
The ORR recorded 13,464 assaults against passengers and members of the public on the mainline railway — the highest annual total since the series began in 2004 and a 36% increase on the previous year. Reported harassment rose 52%, while common assaults increased by 30%.
Impact on Staff
Assaults against rail workers on the mainline also grew: 11,289 incidents were logged, up 12% year-on-year. Of those, 2,487 were physical assaults and 6,390 involved verbal abuse; the remainder were recorded as threats. On the London Underground, recorded assaults rose 20% to 5,534, while reported workforce assaults on the Underground fell 3% to 3,525. Transport for London records only the most severe aspect of each incident, rather than multiple categories.
Responses and Measures
Richard Hines, the ORR’s chief inspector of railways, described the figures as "concerning" and said the regulator is working with industry and trade unions to tackle work-related violence and harassment. That work includes identifying high-risk locations, putting controls in place, encouraging staff to report incidents and ensuring appropriate victim support.
A joint industry spokesperson for Network Rail and train companies said operators are sharing information, improving reporting processes and deploying body-worn cameras to reduce risk and prevent harm. "Keeping passengers and colleagues safe is at the heart of everything we do," the spokesperson added, noting close cooperation with British Transport Police to investigate incidents and support victims.
Unions and Campaigners Call for More Action
The RMT union, representing rail staff, said the ORR figures reflect its own data, with around two-thirds of members reporting they have experienced violence at work. RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey called for increased staffing on public transport, an end to lone working, stronger legal protections for assaulted workers and for outsourced security to be brought back in-house. He also criticised cuts to British Transport Police funding as "disastrous."
Passenger body Transport Focus said the ORR figures match its research finding that personal security is a top priority for passengers. It acknowledged improved reporting may explain part of the rise but urged "a much more strategic approach" to reducing violence and harassment.
Other Notable Figures
The ORR release also recorded 11 deaths at mainline level crossings in the latest year — six more than the previous year. Eight of those fatalities were pedestrians, the rest were road vehicle users. The statistics cover mainline services in England, Scotland and Wales and also include data for London Underground, trams, metros and other light rail systems; they exclude Northern Ireland.
Key takeaway: The sharp rise in reported incidents has prompted calls from unions and passenger groups for more staff, better protections and a strategic industry-wide response, while operators point to improved reporting and new safety measures as part of the solution.
