Article: published on 29 January 2026
Former Detective Rav Wilding
Busy stations top crime figures as police stress rail travel remains safe
- Published
Rail passengers made around 1.72 billion journeys across Great Britain last year, but new figures highlight how crime is concentrated at the country's busiest stations. Former Police Officer Rav Wilding joined BBC Morning Live in the studio to look at why high footfall does not automatically mean higher risk for passengers and where to turn for extra reassurance if they feel vulnerable while travelling.
Where were the most offences recorded?
The stations topping the list are all major transport hubs in London.
London Euston recorded 1,536 offences over the 12 month period. King's Cross saw 1,479, while London Bridge had 1,074. St Pancras International recorded 1,035 offences.
Outside the capital, several large regional stations also featured prominently.
Birmingham New Street recorded 958 offences, Manchester Piccadilly 827 and Leeds 574. Brighton saw 379 offences, Liverpool Lime Street 356 and Glasgow Central 327. Reading recorded 324 and Wolverhampton 302.
Do the figures mean stations are unsafe?
The British Transport Police say these totals reflect overall reported crime and do not necessarily indicate that stations are unsafe. The busiest stations handle hundreds of thousands of passengers each day, which increases the likelihood of incidents being recorded.
Stations such as St Pancras International also contain retail outlets, meaning offences such as shoplifting are included in the totals.
Crime figures covers all categories of offence, including shoplifting at major hubs. Many smaller stations across the network reported few incidents across the year.
The force adds that crimes taking place on moving trains are often attributed to a station, typically where the service terminates, which can affect the figures.
Overall, the British Transport Police recorded 26 crimes for every million passenger journeys last year. That figure covers all categories of offence, not only violent crime. Many smaller stations across the network reported few incidents across the year.
Officers also point to increased public awareness and reporting campaigns, which can lead to more incidents being logged without necessarily indicating a rise in risk.
How can passengers stay safe?
Safety advice from police focuses on reducing opportunities for crime. Passengers are encouraged to plan journeys in advance, keep bags zipped and close to the body, and avoid placing phones or wallets on seats or tables in busy areas.
Reducing distractions can also help. Police say being aware of surroundings, particularly in crowded areas or late at night, makes passengers less likely to be targeted.
If something feels wrong, passengers are advised to move to a staffed area, change carriages or speak to railway staff.
How do you report a concern?
The British Transport Police operates a text service on 61016, allowing passengers to report non emergency concerns discreetly. The force says it received more than 250,000 texts to the number last year.
In one recent case, officers met a train at South Merton station after a passenger used the service to report a man exposing himself. The suspect was arrested at the station. In another incident, a man was returned to prison after exposing himself to a lone woman on a train to East Grinstead. Police boarded the train following a report and arrested him.
Passengers can also use station help points or speak to conductors if they feel uneasy.
Support services are available for those who feel vulnerable while travelling. The StrutSafe scheme operates a phone line from 7pm on Thursdays to Sundays, offering volunteers who stay on the line with callers who feel unsafe when walking alone, including near stations late at night. A British Sign Language video option is also available. Apps such as WalkSafe allow users to share live journey tracking with friends or family.
Police stress that rail travel remains a safe way to get around for the vast majority of people, but say staying alert and reporting concerns helps keep the network secure.
