Rising reports of sexual offences on British railways

Since 2013, there has been a steady and worrying rise in the number of sexual offences being reported from British trains and railway stations. Uncovered by a freedom of information request made by radio station LBC and reported on by The Guardian, the British Transport Police (BTP) figures don't make for great reading.

Although travellers in London have been able to report any suspected offences via text message since 2013, the increase across the country has been cause for concern for those actively engaged in countering such crimes. A spokesperson for the BTP campaign 'Report It to Stop It' did however have a positive spin on the issue, saying: "Though it is clearly a concern that so many people are affected by this type of crime, it is pleasing that previously reluctant victims of sexual offences now have the confidence to report this to us.”