Reported assaults on Britain's rail services rise by more than a third

Reported assaults on Britain's rail services rise by more than a third Reports of violent incidents and harassment on rail services rose substantially last year, figures from the rail regulator show. Reported assaults, including physical and verbal, were up 36% in the year to March 2026 compared with the previous year, according to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). In total 13,464 assaults against passengers and members of the public were recorded on Britain's mainline railway, the highest number recorded since the series began in 2004. The ORR said the figures were concerning and that it was working with the industry to address the problem. According to the figures, harassment increased by 52% compared with the previous year and common assaults rose by 30%.