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SEX attacks and violent crimes on British railways have soared according to figures published by the British Transport Police today.
Some 1,399 sexual offences were reported in 2014/15, up from 1,117 the previous year.
Violent crimes, including serious and common assault, firearms, explosive offences and racially aggravated harassment also rose, from 8,425 to 9,149.
But the overall number of crimes recorded on the rail system last year fell from 50,839 to 46,688.
Deputy Chief Constable Adrian Hanstock said the increase in reports of sexual offences showed it was a significant concern for people but was under-reported and described the increase in violent crime as “a concern.”
He said: “What is worrying is that in a disproportionate amount of these offences it is police officers or railway staff that are the victims of assault, often as a result of their intervention in seemingly ordinary incidents such as non-payment of fares or petty anti-social behaviour.”
