The number of reported assaults on Britain’s railways has reached a record high of nearly 25,000 incidents in the past year, according to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). This includes 13,464 assaults against passengers and members of the public on mainline railways, which is a 36% increase from the previous year and the highest number recorded since the ORR began tracking such data in 2004. Assaults on rail staff also rose by 12%, with 11,289 reported incidents—mostly verbal abuse, but nearly 2,500 involving physical violence, averaging about seven daily. Harassment and common assault against the public increased by 52% and 30%, respectively. The rise in reported incidents is partly due to improved reporting mechanisms and public awareness campaigns that encourage people to report assaults. However, it also highlights ongoing concerns from unions about the safety of frontline workers and passengers, as well as the adequacy of transport policing. RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said the figures align with union surveys showing that two-thirds of its members experienced some form of workplace violence in the past year. He called for more staff in public transport, an end to lone working, and stronger legal protections for workers. He also criticized funding cuts to the British Transport Police, which have reduced the policing presence on public transport. Richard Hines, the chief inspector of railways for the ORR, expressed concern about the rise in reported assaults, emphasizing that no one on the railway should face violence or abuse. He said the ORR is working with the rail industry and trade unions to address work-related violence and harassment, including through new guidance for rail employers. This guidance requires employers to identify risks, implement controls, encourage reporting, and provide support to affected staff. Inspectors will continue to monitor how these risks are being managed. A spokesperson for Network Rail and train operators stated that violence and abuse toward passengers or staff are unacceptable. They noted that the increase in reported incidents reflects better intelligence sharing, improved reporting processes, and the use of more CCTV and body-worn cameras for frontline staff. However, the ORR report explained that some figures may include multiple counts for a single incident, such as both harassment and common assault. On the London Underground, where each incident is counted only once, assaults on staff slightly decreased last year. The report also highlighted that the rise in assaults has continued since the pandemic, coinciding with pressure on British Transport Police resources. Similar issues have been reported in other sectors, including retail and the NHS, where violence against workers has also increased. The rail industry has acknowledged the need for a cultural shift in public behavior to better protect those who keep the railways running safely. Reports have also shown that women and girls are particularly vulnerable to such incidents. The Department for Transport and British Transport Police were contacted for further comment.