Asian Londoners Report Growing Fear of Hate Crime on Public Transport

New survey findings have revealed that passengers from Asian backgrounds are significantly more likely to fear experiencing hate crime while travelling on London’s public transport network, raising fresh concerns over safety and discrimination on TfL services.

Research commissioned by the Mayor of London’s office and carried out by YouGov in November found that almost seven in ten Asian respondents expressed concerns about becoming victims of hate crime while using Transport for London services.

The survey also showed that the proportion of Asian respondents who described themselves as “very worried” was more than double the overall survey average.

Rising concerns over safety on public transport

The findings come amid wider concerns about crime and personal safety across London’s transport network.

According to the article, offences recorded per million journeys on London public transport have risen steadily since the early 2010s, with 2024 figures showing a notable increase compared with a decade earlier.

Akeela Ahmed MBE, chief executive of the British Muslim Trust, linked rising anxiety among Asian communities to the visibility of far-right demonstrations and increasing anti-Muslim rhetoric in public life.

She said many people, particularly Muslim women and young people, now actively alter their routines during periods of heightened tension, including avoiding public transport altogether.

Women report heightened fears

The survey also highlighted wider fears around harassment and abuse affecting women travelling on TfL services.

Up to 38% of women surveyed reported concerns about harassment or hate crime while using public transport, compared with 21% of men.

The article further referenced a London Assembly report indicating that only a small proportion of Violence Against Women and Girls offences — as well as hate-related incidents — result in charges or summonses.

Experts interviewed for the report suggested that hate crime can have a particularly severe psychological impact because victims may feel targeted because of their identity, religion or ethnicity.

Dr Darrick Jolliffe, head of UCL’s Department of Security and Crime Science, said fear of crime can significantly alter how people live their lives, influencing travel habits, social interactions and feelings of belonging within society.

Public transport seen as difficult to escape

The report noted that public transport environments can intensify feelings of vulnerability because passengers often cannot easily remove themselves from threatening situations.

One woman interviewed anonymously described being followed and harassed by a man on the London Underground after travelling home from an evening out.

She said the experience reinforced the hyper-vigilance many women feel while travelling alone, although she remained determined not to allow fear to dictate her daily life.

TfL reiterates zero-tolerance approach

Transport for London said tackling hate crime remains a priority across the network.

A TfL spokesperson said the organisation maintains a visible policing and enforcement presence across stations and services while also running campaigns aimed at encouraging passengers to report abuse and intervene safely where appropriate.

The organisation added that staff are trained to respond compassionately to victims and that TfL continues to operate a zero-tolerance policy towards hate crime and abusive behaviour.