The number of reported assaults on Great Britain’s railways reached a record high of nearly 25,000 incidents during the 2025-26 year, according to data released by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). The increase includes assaults on both passengers and railway staff, prompting calls from unions and industry representatives for enhanced policing, staffing, and legal protections.

There were 13,464 assaults reported against passengers and members of the public on the mainline railway, marking a 36% rise from the previous year and the highest figure recorded since the ORR began tracking these incidents in 2004. Reported assaults on railway staff increased by 12%, totaling 11,289 incidents. Although much of the abuse involved verbal confrontations, nearly 2,500 physical assaults against staff were recorded—an average of about seven daily.

The rise in assaults against the public includes notable increases in harassment cases, which grew by 52%, and common assault incidents, which went up by 30%. Unions have attributed these figures partly to higher reporting rates encouraged by zero-tolerance campaigns, but also express concern about the persistent threats faced by frontline workers and passengers. The availability of British Transport Police (BTP) officers has also been identified as a significant factor influencing safety on the network.

Eddie Dempsey, general secretary of the RMT union, described the figures as “horrendous,” consistent with surveys indicating that two-thirds of union members experienced violence at work in the past year. Dempsey called for a substantial increase in staffing across public transport, an end to lone working, and stronger legal safeguards for workers. He also criticized funding cuts to the British Transport Police, which he said have weakened policing presence on public transport.

Maryam Eslamdoust, general secretary of the TSSA union, echoed the concerns, describing the rising violence as “spiralling out of control.” In response, the government highlighted its commitment to addressing the issue, noting a £63 million funding increase for the British Transport Police by 2028-29 that will enable the recruitment of over 200 additional officers. The Department for Transport emphasized that violence and abuse against passengers and rail workers are entirely unacceptable and encouraged reporting of incidents.

Additional measures introduced in 2026 include railway behavior notices, which strengthen the ability to exclude repeat offenders from stations. The BTP has reported increased use of its discreet text-to-report service, which has contributed to the higher number of recorded incidents.

Richard Hines, the ORR chief inspector of railways, expressed concern over the rise in reported assaults and affirmed the regulatory body’s work with the industry and trade unions. The ORR has issued guidance for rail employers on assessing risks, implementing controls, encouraging incident reporting, and supporting affected staff.

Network Rail and train operators stressed their commitment to working closely with the British Transport Police to investigate incidents, support victims, and bring offenders to justice. Mark Phillips, chief executive of the Rail Safety and Standards Board, said the figures underscore the urgent need for a shift in public behavior and greater respect for those who maintain safety and service on the railways.

The increase in assaults on railways has parallels with rising violence reported in other sectors such as retail and the NHS, where frontline workers have also faced heightened risks and abuse in recent years.