Racially and religiously motivated hate crimes on the UK’s public transport network have risen sharply over the past several years, prompting concern from anti-racism campaigners and community groups about safety and inclusion for passengers, according to newly released figures and firsthand accounts. Data obtained from British Transport Police under a freedom of information request reveals that recorded racial hate crimes on trains, buses and other public transport systems across England, Scotland and Wales increased from 2,827 incidents in the 2019–20 period to 3,258 in 2024–25, illustrating an upward trajectory that activists say reflects deeper societal tensions. Religious hate crimes showed a similar pattern, climbing from 343 cases in 2019–20 to a peak of 419 in 2023–24 before dipping slightly to 372 last year, though campaigners caution the figures likely understate the true prevalence of such abuse.
Passengers from minority communities describe a worrying atmosphere on some journeys, where verbal abuse, intimidation and even threats of violence have become distressingly common. One young woman recounted an incident on a Glasgow train in which a fellow passenger hurled racist insults and sprayed a substance in her direction, forcing her to record the encounter for her safety and prompting bystanders to intervene. Such personal testimonies underscore the emotional toll of hate-fueled encounters and highlight how they can transform everyday travel into an ordeal for those targeted.
Community leaders warn that the rise in reported incidents has tangible effects on people’s behaviour and sense of security. Advocates say visible minorities and religious groups, particularly Muslim passengers, are increasingly altering their travel plans, avoiding busy routes or opting for alternate times of day to reduce the risk of confrontation. Akeela Ahmed, chief executive of the British Muslim Trust, described how some individuals “micro-analyse every movement, expression or gesture” in fear it might be picked up and weaponised against them, while others simply choose not to travel by public transport at all.
Campaigners also point to structural issues that exacerbate the problem, such as gaps in CCTV coverage on buses and at certain stops, which they say allows perpetrators to evade accountability. Carol Young, deputy director of the Scottish anti-racism charity Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights, emphasised that official figures probably represent only a fraction of incidents, as many go unreported amid perceptions that police response and follow-through can be inconsistent.
Experts note that the context of these increases may be complex, with broader national trends in hate crime also showing upticks in racial and religiously aggravated offences. Recent Home Office statistics for England and Wales indicate a general rise in race hate crimes and religious hate crimes over the year ending March 2025, although these figures span beyond transport settings alone and vary by region and type of offence.
Transport providers and police authorities have reiterated their stance that hate-motivated abuse will not be tolerated. A British Transport Police spokesperson reiterated that intimidation and violence motivated by hate are taken seriously, urging victims and witnesses to report incidents so that appropriate action can be taken. Nonetheless, community advocates argue that more proactive measures are urgently needed — from enhanced security measures and better support for victims to broader public campaigns addressing prejudice — to reverse a trend that is leaving many passengers feeling unsafe on Britain’s trains and buses.
