Railway Guardian downloads up 337%
In response to alarming statistics revealing that more than a third of women have experienced sexual harassment or assault during their train commutes, the British Transport Police's Railway Guardian app has witnessed an impressive 337% surge in downloads during December, compared to the previous month. This significant uptick follows a call for increased reporting of incidents, particularly those related to sexual offences on trains.
Research conducted by the British Transport Police in November 2023, supplemented by imabi's insights, sheds light on the prevalence of sexual harassment and the reluctance of bystanders to report such incidents. Shockingly, despite 51% of victims stating that other passengers attempted to assist, only 18% of witnesses reported the harassment to the police.
The increase in Railway Guardian downloads indicates a greater willingness to do so, with more people now able to access its reporting functions. Commenting, Sarah White, Detective Superintendent of the British Transport Police, said: “The fact there’s been a significant increase in downloads is a good sign the public is becoming more inclined to engage with reporting, especially if we give them the means. Wherever you see antisocial behaviour take place, please report it. Reporting incidents helps us to build a picture – allowing us to conduct intelligence-led policing that allocates resources most effectively.”
Alongside 61016 SMS message reporting, Railway Guardian allows for anonymous reporting via Crimestoppers, which means those who wish to be anonymous stay anonymous.
Sarah White added:“For serious incidents and emergencies, people should always dial 999. However, Railway Guardian offers an alternative reporting function for incidents of antisocial behaviour that they don’t think makes that threshold. And if you don’t want to share any personal details you can report via Crimestoppers, which is always 100% anonymous.”
The research further delves into the specific behaviours that make individuals feel uncomfortable or intimidated during their commutes. Unwanted physical contact (65%), invasion of personal space (64%), and inappropriate comments (56%) top the list of reported behaviours. Other intimidating actions include shouting (54%), staring (49%), swearing (41%), and wolf-whistling (30%).
Mark Balaam, a safeguarding expert and the founder/CEO of imabi, emphasised the app's role in empowering travellers to report inappropriate behaviours. “Railway Guardian, as well as providing travellers with useful guidance and information, is designed to help people report inappropriate behaviours as we look to make rail travel safer. By reporting, users will be giving the British Transport Police clear and actionable insights to help them deliver more informed policing.”
As the Railway Guardian app continues to gain momentum, with an increasing number of users accessing its reporting functions, it stands as a vital tool in addressing and combating the prevalence of antisocial behaviour and sexual assault on trains. To download Railway Guardian, individuals can visit the Apple or Android app stores, contributing to a safer and more secure rail travel experience for everyone.
*Survey conducted by OnePoll in October 2023, involving 2,000 UK residents.
