Government and Rail Industry Launch National Campaign to Tackle Sexual Harassment on Public Transport

The UK government, rail industry and British Transport Police (BTP) have launched a new nationwide campaign aimed at tackling sexual harassment across the rail network and encouraging more passengers to report abuse.

The initiative forms part of the government’s wider Enough campaign and is being delivered in partnership with the Department for Transport, Network Rail, the Rail Delivery Group and BTP.

The campaign focuses on challenging behaviours such as intrusive comments, unwanted attention, staring and harassment on trains and at stations, while also promoting clearer reporting channels for passengers experiencing or witnessing incidents.

Posters, digital displays and station messaging will be rolled out across the rail network encouraging passengers to seek support from rail staff, report incidents online, or contact British Transport Police directly via text message.

Alongside the public awareness campaign, the government and BTP have also announced the launch of a new national Safer Railway Scheme, introducing formal safety expectations for train operators around preventing harassment, supporting victims and training staff to respond appropriately.

Under the scheme, rail operators will be independently assessed by British Transport Police against a series of standards covering areas such as victim support, safeguarding, staff training, crime prevention and passenger protection. Operators will need to achieve minimum accreditation standards in order to meet the scheme’s requirements.

The announcement follows the introduction of the Public Sexual Harassment Act, which made intentional sexual harassment in public a criminal offence carrying potential penalties including fines, criminal records and prison sentences.

Government ministers said the campaign forms part of wider efforts to reduce violence against women and girls and improve personal safety across public spaces and transport environments.

Safeguarding Minister Natalie Fleet said too many women continue to experience fear, intimidation and harassment while travelling, adding that public transport should never feel unsafe for passengers.

Local Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood described the Safer Railway Scheme as an important step toward creating clearer expectations for rail operators around how harassment incidents are prevented and managed.

Network Rail said the industry is already working with BTP to improve CCTV coverage, expand real-time access to footage and strengthen reporting systems across stations and trains.

Rail industry leaders also stressed the importance of creating a culture where harassment is actively challenged rather than dismissed as a routine part of public travel.

The campaign reflects growing concern across the transport sector around passenger safety, particularly for women and vulnerable users travelling on public transport networks.

Transport operators and infrastructure organisations are increasingly being expected to demonstrate stronger safeguarding measures, improved reporting systems and more visible action on anti-social behaviour and harassment across stations, trains and wider transport environments.

The rail industry says the combination of public awareness campaigns, operational standards, staff training and stronger enforcement measures is intended to improve passenger confidence while making it easier for victims and witnesses to report incidents.

British Transport Police has also encouraged passengers to save its text reporting number, 61016, in order to discreetly report incidents when needed.