UK rail assaults reach record highs for passengers and workers

Annual rail safety statistics published by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) show a significant rise in assaults on both passengers and railway workers in Great Britain between April 2025 and March 2026.

Assaults against passengers and the public on mainline services reached a record high of 13,464 incidents, a 36% increase from the previous year. This spike includes a 52% rise in harassment and a 30% increase in common assaults. On the London Underground, reported assaults against the public rose by 20% to 5,534.

Workforce assaults on the mainline also increased by 12% to 11,289 incidents. This total includes 6,390 cases of verbal abuse, 2,487 physical assaults, and 2,412 threats. Richard Hines, the ORR’s Chief Inspector of Railways, described the increase as “concerning,” stating that the organization is working with industry and trade unions to address violence and harassment through new guidance and risk management.