Hate Crimes on UK Public Transport Rise as Passengers Fear Abuse and Assault

Racial and religious hate crimes on public transport are increasing, according to new figures obtained by the Guardian, as community organisations report that many people are limiting their daily travel due to fears of abuse or physical attacks.

Police data from across the UK shows a rise in hate crime over the past year, including a notable increase in racially motivated offences in Scotland and religiously motivated attacks against Muslims in England and Wales.

Public transport presents unique risks, as perpetrators are often influenced by alcohol, can single out victims in confined spaces, and easily escape by getting off at the next stop.

Figures released through a freedom of information request reveal that racial hate crimes recorded by British Transport Police across England, Wales and Scotland rose from 2,827 incidents in 2019–20 to 3,258 in 2024–25. Religious hate crimes followed a similar pattern, increasing from 343 cases in 2019–20 to 419 in 2023–24, before falling slightly to 372 the following year.

Courtney described an incident in August while travelling by train from Glasgow city centre. An elderly woman sat opposite her and, without warning, began making racist comments that grew louder after she put on a face mask. Courtney said she stayed silent at first, shocked by the sudden hostility.

The situation escalated when the woman sprayed disinfectant in her direction, prompting Courtney to start recording the incident to protect herself. Even after moving seats, the woman continued to verbally abuse her, telling her to “go back to your own country.”

Other passengers eventually intervened, which Courtney said made a significant difference. She encouraged bystanders to show support in any way they feel comfortable, explaining that simply standing near or checking on someone can help them feel less isolated.

Akeela Ahmed, chief executive of the British Muslim Trust, said the data reflects the experiences reported to her organisation nationwide and urged authorities, transport operators and safety partners to take immediate action. She noted that for visibly Muslim passengers, isolated areas such as the upper deck of buses or quiet train carriages can be especially threatening.

Ahmed added that cases involving public transport are among the most distressing her organisation handles, with many Muslims feeling forced to closely monitor their behaviour out of fear of being targeted. She also expressed concern that children travelling to and from school are frequently victims, while limited CCTV coverage allows offenders to avoid accountability.

Carol Young of the Scottish charity Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights said hate crime remains significantly under-reported and that official figures likely represent only a fraction of actual incidents. She added that many people no longer feel safe using public transport and adjust their travel habits accordingly.

Dave Rich from the Community Safety Trust highlighted that the recent increase in hate crime aligns with a rise in antisemitic incidents following the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October. He stressed that the issue shows no sign of easing and called for stronger action from police, prosecutors and transport providers.

A British Transport Police spokesperson reaffirmed that hate-motivated abuse and violence will not be tolerated and urged victims and witnesses to report incidents rather than remaining silent.