A recent undercover investigation conducted on London’s Underground has highlighted ongoing concerns over sexual harassment and assault faced by women on the capital’s public transport network. The investigation, carried out across seven Tube and Docklands Light Railway (DLR) lines, found repeated incidents of verbal harassment and at least one occasion of physical assault within a few hours of travel.

The journalist, who remained anonymous for safety reasons and was accompanied discreetly by a producer, began the test journey at Holborn station in the early hours of April 25. Despite cautious clothing and behavior, she encountered several men who followed, touched, and ignored her refusals. One man at Green Park station became increasingly aggressive before an attempt to disengage was followed almost immediately by other unwanted advances. Over four journeys conducted during both day and night, she was verbally harassed on approximately eight occasions and physically assaulted once.

Her experience echoes wider reports of incidents on London’s transport network. In June, Esme Rice, 31, was sexually assaulted on the Elizabeth line near Stratford station when two men blocked her exit and groped her. Despite promptly reporting the assault to British Transport Police (BTP) via text as advised, she received a delayed response more than 12 hours later. Rice described multiple prior encounters with sexual violence on the Tube, including a 2024 incident involving a man masturbating on the Jubilee line during rush hour, which was later closed due to lack of suspects.

The investigation points to systemic challenges in both prevention and response. London transport campaigns encourage passengers to report harassment through the “see it, say it, sorted” initiative, but the reality often falls short. The journalist’s own report of physical assault was met with information that CCTV footage had expired or was unusable, reflecting a broader problem. According to recent data, in nearly half of more than 560 BTP reports requesting CCTV, footage was unavailable due to technical faults, expired recordings, or inadequate coverage — a situation compounded by the absence of a legal requirement for CCTV on passenger trains.

Transport for London acknowledges some of these issues, noting that older trains on several lines lack CCTV capability that meets prosecutorial standards. A spokesperson said the organization is working with police to improve camera coverage, image quality, and data retention.

Experts and campaigners stress that technical improvements alone will not solve the issue of harassment, which is rooted in societal behavior. Susan Leadbetter, a transport design expert, highlighted the psychological impact of harassment and the limitations posed by the Tube’s historic infrastructure, including narrow platforms and limited staff presence. Leadbetter advocates for practical measures such as increased visible staffing, working surveillance, reliable mobile connectivity, and better lighting — improvements already seen on newer lines like the Elizabeth line.

Debate continues over proposals such as women-only carriages, as suggested by activist Camille Brown, though some experts remain skeptical of their long-term effectiveness.

High-profile cases such as the 2021 murder of Sarah Everard, which sparked national focus on women’s safety, underscore ongoing public concern. Progress is being made; in June, British Transport Police secured the first conviction under new legislation targeting sex-based harassment on railways, resulting in a community order for a man who grabbed a woman’s hair and attempted to kiss her on an overground train.

Despite such developments, victims like Esme Rice express frustration with the reporting system and the perceived lack of effective action. Many women remain wary of travelling alone, scanning surroundings for potential threats.

British Transport Police emphasized the importance of immediate reporting via their dedicated text service, which they say is increasingly used as confidence in the system grows. Following the undercover journalist’s report, BTP officers responded swiftly, contacting her within 90 minutes of receiving the complaint.

Transport for London reiterated its commitment to making the network safer for all passengers, calling unacceptable the behaviors documented in the investigation and urging those affected to come forward.

As London’s Underground marks over a century of service, its adaptation to modern safety challenges remains a critical concern, particularly for women seeking secure, harassment-free travel.