What are the authorities doing to keep you safe?
The information on this page outlines what the relevant authorities and insitutions are doing to keep you safe whilst travelling on public transport across the UK:
The Department of Transport
The Department for Transport (DfT) aims to reduce crime and fear of crime on public transport by encouraging our partners and operators to work together in developing, disseminating and evaluating good practice in crime reduction initiatives.
Click here for further information on how they are helping you stay safe.
British Transport Police
British Transport Police is the specialist police service for Britain’s railways, covering the National Rail system throughout England, Scotland and Wales. We also police the London Underground, Docklands Light Railway, Glasgow Subway, Midland Metro and Croydon Tramlink systems.
Click here for further information on how they are helping you stay safe.
Transport for London
London’s transport network is a safe and low crime environment. The risk of becoming a victim of crime on the transport system is at its lowest level in over five years. Despite this, safety and security on the transport system continues to be a top priority for TfL and its police partners. TfL is working in partnership with the British Transport Police, City of London Police and the Metropolitan Police Service to further reduce crime and anti-social behaviour on the transport system and help people feel safer when travelling in London.
Key TfL initiatives to improve safety and security on the transport system include:
- Over 2,500 officers patrol the transport system including Tube, buses, Docklands Light Railway and London Overground
- Specialist transport police units focus on issues such as illegal cabs, criminal damage and staff assaults
- 600 Revenue Inspectors patrol the Tube and bus networks to reduce fare evasion, tackle anti-social behaviour and manage the under-16 free travel scheme on buses
- Thousands of front-line staff provide customer service and reassurance to passengers 24/7
- All of London’s 8,500 buses, London Underground and London Overground stations are fitted with extensive CCTV to reassure passengers and detect perpetrators of crime
- Bus drivers are connected to a joint London Buses and police control centre operating 24/7 in case of an emergency
- Alcohol is banned on TfL services and banned to make travelling on the tube or the bus in the capital a far more pleasant experience for the millions of Londoners who use it each day
For more information, read the Community Safety Plan for transport and travelling produced by TfL and its police partners.
Safer Travel at Night
TfL is working with the police and other organisations across the Capital to improve the safety and security while travelling at night. Illegal cab drivers pose a serious risk to the travelling public and can be a cover for some of the most serious crimes in London including sexual violence against women and robbery. These issues are being tackled through the Safer Travel at Night initiative which aims to raise awareness of the dangers of using illegal cabs, provide access to safer travel alternatives and police action against illegal cabs.
Remember that any minicab that isn’t booked isn’t legal and isn’t safe. Only taxis (black cabs) can pick up customers on the street. Minicabs must be booked through a licensed minicab office. If any minicab approaches you on the street, they are breaking the law and it is unsafe. Use Cabwise - TfL’s text message service which texts back two licensed minicab numbers and a taxi number which uses GPS to identify your location. Simply pre-plan your journey before going out.