Ban drinking on UK trains to protect passengers from violence and harrassment
The Issue
Violent incidents and harassment of women and girls onboard trains are reported to be at an all-time high in the U.K. and curbing anti-social drinking would take direct action to prevent this.
According to the Guardian: Violence against women and girls on British railways has risen by more than 50% over two years, according to official figures.
The number of crimes against women and girls rose from 7,561 in 2021 to 11,357 in 2023, and the number of sexual offences rose 10% from 2,235 to 2,475, according to a survey commissioned by British Transport Police. The survey, first reported in the Times, also found the number of sexual harassment reports doubled to 1,908, over the two-year period.
A British Transport Police (BTP) survey released last year revealed more than a third of all women commuting by rail were likely to be assaulted – predominately during rush hour, according to figures – and showed 51% of female victims reported that other rail passengers intervened to try to help.
Millions of people rely on trains for transport every day. Train carriages are enclosed spaces that create a dangerous, intense environment and intoxicated passengers are more likely to behave in a violent, aggressive or intimidating manner towards others. Oftentimes trains are unstaffed or have one ticket inspector on board who would be unable to observe or maintain control dangerous behaviour across the whole train.
Drinking whilst travelling also leads to vomiting, fainting and other medical incidents, as well as passengers putting themselves in danger.
Prevention is better than cure. Train companies have stated their intention to act on VAWG, but their plans are focused on dealing with reports of the behaviour after it has taken place. Statistics show that reports of violent sexual crimes or harassment rarely lead to convictions.
A straightforward first move to prove their commitment would be to ban alcohol consumption on board, in an attempt to lessen the possibility of this behaviour.
All passengers deserve to travel in a safe environment and the current levels of drinking on board U.K. trains is directly contributing to the danger of violence or harassment currently being experienced, particularly for vulnerable passengers on late night trains.
Rail companies need to act now and implement an alcohol ban, just as TfL did in 2008, in order to prove their intention to protect their passengers.
30
The Issue
Violent incidents and harassment of women and girls onboard trains are reported to be at an all-time high in the U.K. and curbing anti-social drinking would take direct action to prevent this.
According to the Guardian: Violence against women and girls on British railways has risen by more than 50% over two years, according to official figures.
The number of crimes against women and girls rose from 7,561 in 2021 to 11,357 in 2023, and the number of sexual offences rose 10% from 2,235 to 2,475, according to a survey commissioned by British Transport Police. The survey, first reported in the Times, also found the number of sexual harassment reports doubled to 1,908, over the two-year period.
A British Transport Police (BTP) survey released last year revealed more than a third of all women commuting by rail were likely to be assaulted – predominately during rush hour, according to figures – and showed 51% of female victims reported that other rail passengers intervened to try to help.
Millions of people rely on trains for transport every day. Train carriages are enclosed spaces that create a dangerous, intense environment and intoxicated passengers are more likely to behave in a violent, aggressive or intimidating manner towards others. Oftentimes trains are unstaffed or have one ticket inspector on board who would be unable to observe or maintain control dangerous behaviour across the whole train.
Drinking whilst travelling also leads to vomiting, fainting and other medical incidents, as well as passengers putting themselves in danger.
Prevention is better than cure. Train companies have stated their intention to act on VAWG, but their plans are focused on dealing with reports of the behaviour after it has taken place. Statistics show that reports of violent sexual crimes or harassment rarely lead to convictions.
A straightforward first move to prove their commitment would be to ban alcohol consumption on board, in an attempt to lessen the possibility of this behaviour.
All passengers deserve to travel in a safe environment and the current levels of drinking on board U.K. trains is directly contributing to the danger of violence or harassment currently being experienced, particularly for vulnerable passengers on late night trains.
Rail companies need to act now and implement an alcohol ban, just as TfL did in 2008, in order to prove their intention to protect their passengers.
Petition Updates
Share this petition
Petition created on 6 August 2026