In 2022, British Transport Police (BTP) reported a 175% increase in sexual harassment and offences compared to pre-pandemic levels. BTP’s ongoing campaign, ‘Speak Up, Interrupt’ launched in July 2022 with aspirations to encourage the reporting of hostile behaviour so that action can be taken to create safer railways. Discussions at Rail Safety Week 2023 remind us that passenger safety is crucial, and we can all do our part to protect ourselves and others.
The Railway Guardian app was created by BTP in 2022 to prevent violence against women and girls and has become a key tool for passenger safety as it enables them to discreetly report crimes on trains or at stations.
The Railway Guardian app works by allowing users to share their journeys with chosen contacts, send messages if facing uncomfortable situations and alert friends when you have arrived safely. Under the ‘report’ function, users can also report inappropriate behaviour to British Transport Police, Train Operators or anonymously to Street Safe.
How can you improve railway safety?
BTP encourage all passengers to take the small actions of downloading the Railway Guardian app, reporting crimes and concerns, learning about unacceptable behaviour and being an active bystander.
Easy to download and use, Railway Guardian is a must-have app for all travellers.
Small actions, make a big difference
Download the app today: https://www.btp.police.uk/police-forces/british-transport-police/areas/campaigns/Download-Railway-Guardian/
