Number of incidents of sexual impropriety on the London Underground
Request ID: FOI-0548-2223 Date published: 24 June 2022
You asked
I would like to request information about the number of recorded/reported acts of sexual impropriety (public fornication, oral copulation and similar acts) on the London Underground.
I am not requesting information about sexual assault, rape or sexual harassment/unwanted advances, but rather seemingly consensual acts. I don't know specifically how TFL categorizes or records such incidents, so forgive me for perhaps using inaccurate terminology.
I am requesting such information on a per year basis from 2010 to 2022. And on a per station basis too if possible.
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-0548-2223
Thank you for your request received on 8 June 2022 asking for information about incidents of sexual impropriety on the London Underground.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
We do not hold the information you have requested, this is held by the British Transport Police. Please contact them directly for this information:
Transport for London (TfL), in partnership with the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), British Transport Police (BTP), Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and women’s safety groups, launched the campaign to tackle sexual harassment on the transport network in October 2021. The campaign highlights various forms of unwanted sexual behaviour that can take place on public transport and aims to send a strong message to offenders that sexual harassment is not tolerated on TfL’s services. The campaign was informed by research, including focus groups, and the expertise of violence against women and girls (VAWG) campaign groups and the policing sector.
The campaign builds on efforts by TfL and police to tackle unwanted sexual behaviour on public transport through Project Guardian and the award-winning Report it to Stop it communications campaigns - both of which aimed to improve reporting levels and to create an environment on the network that does not tolerate intimidation and sexual harassment. The new campaign posters form part of a joined-up national approach to addressing sexual harassment, featuring a consistent message across TfL's network and the national rail network. The campaign also includes magazine and newspaper advertising, editorial partnerships, and other communications. The materials, which appear on buses and trains and at stops and stations, help educate passengers about how to report incidents, encouraging them to do so wherever possible on the bus network at met.police.uk or, for all other TfL services, to text the British Transport Police on 61016. Alternatively, people can contact Crimestoppers, and should always call 999 in an emergency.
If this is not the information you are looking for please feel free to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob Senior FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
