Racial and religious hate crimes on UK public transport are on the rise, according to recent data. Community groups report that people are avoiding daily journeys due to fear of abuse or assault. Police forces across the country have recorded a significant increase in hate crimes, with a notable rise in racially motivated offenses in Scotland and religious hate crimes targeting Muslims in England and Wales.
Public transport presents a unique challenge, as aggressors often take advantage of alcohol, isolate their targets, and quickly exit at the next stop. According to figures obtained through a freedom of information request, racial hate crimes recorded by British Transport Police across England, Wales, and Scotland increased from 2,827 cases in 2019-20 to 3,258 in 2024-25. Religious hate crimes followed a similar trend, rising from 343 in 2019-20 to 419 in 2023-24, before slightly decreasing to 372 the following year.
One victim, Courtney, recounted a harrowing experience on a Glasgow train in August. An elderly woman made racist remarks, which intensified after she put on a face mask. Courtney, who vlogs her experiences for TikTok, felt compelled to record the incident for her safety. Despite some passengers intervening, the woman continued to harass Courtney, telling her to 'go back to her own country'.
Akeela Ahmed, CEO of the British Muslim Trust, highlighted the vulnerability of visible Muslims on public transport, where threatening behavior, verbal abuse, and violent attacks can occur due to faith. The trust has reported some of the most complex and distressing cases, leading to heightened anxiety among Muslims, who now fear misinterpretation and weaponization of their every move.
Carol Young, deputy director of the Scottish anti-racism charity Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights, noted that racist hate crimes are under-reported. She suggested that the published figures might only scratch the surface of the issue, as some people avoid public transport or restrict their usage due to safety concerns.
Dave Rich, head of policy at the Community Safety Trust, linked the rise in racial and religious hate crimes to the increase in antisemitic hate crimes following the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023. He emphasized the need for police, the Crown Prosecution Service, and transport operators to take proactive measures to address this ongoing problem.
